1932 – 2013

LEWISTON — The Rev. Roland V. “Andy” Anderson, 81, of Dixfield and North Olmstead, Ohio, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Aug. 11, after a brief hospitalization at Central Maine Medical Center due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born in Worcester, Mass., on July 16, 1932, the son of Roland G. and Mary (Roy) Anderson. He married Norma J. Palmer of Dixfield in 1953.

A lifelong learner, he attended Worcester Junior College, Trevecca Nazarene University, University of Tennessee, Cuyahoga Community College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Crisis, worked for UPS for 31 years in management as an industrial engineer and became an ordained minister of the Church of the Nazarene in 1992, serving in pastorates in Ohio.

In 2008, he relocated with his wife to Dixfield to help care for his ailing mother-in-law, and soon grew to love the area for its people and scenic charm. Pastor Andy was currently serving as the youth pastor of Dixfield Church of the Nazarene and served on several boards for the Maine District Church of the Nazarene. He was passionate about mission work, and went on several missionary trips in and out of the country and had a heart for inner-city mission work in Cleveland, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma J. (Palmer) Anderson; his sons, Greg Leslie (Teresa) of Chattanooga, Tenn., Kirk Palmer (Gina) of Chicago, Ill., Eric Roland (Kellie) and Judith Lorene (Bryan Pence) of North Olmsted, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Joshua (Tracy) Pence of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Amanda (Abed) Darwish of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Tiffany Anderson of Chattanooga, Tenn., Christopher Anderson of Nashville, Tenn., Victor Anderson of North Olmsted, Ohio, Aaron (Cathy) Pence of Denver, Colo., Andréah Anderson of North Olmsted, Ohio, and Graham and Evan Anderson of Chicago, Ill.; eight great-grandchildren ranging from age 2-16; and his sisters, Rose Marie Johnson of Charlton, Mass., and Carol (George) Holland of Homosassa, Fla.

He was predeceased by his son, Alex Vaughn; his parents, Roland and Mary (Roy) Anderson; and his brother, Ronald D. Anderson.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with his family and friends on his tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.