Robert Mansfield Anderson

Robert Mansfield Anderson, 91, of Fishers passed away June 24, 2024. He was born September 20, 1932, in Groton, Massachusetts, the son of the late Walter and Alice (Knapp) Anderson. He married Sally Gordner on June 25, 1960. She preceded him in passing on January 15, 2024, after 63 years of marriage.

 Bob proudly and honorably served as a pilot and air traffic controller in the Air Force from 1954 until 1957. Bob attended preparatory school at Lawrence Academy in Groton, and continued on to Colby College in Waterville Maine, graduating in 1954. At Colby, he participated in the ROTC program and joined the Air Force after graduation as an officer. He left the Air Force in 1957. 

While his flying career ended with his Air Force service, his love of airplanes was a life-long passion. This was especially true of vintage aircraft such as the AT-6 and B25 which he flew during his service. He enjoyed visiting Aviation museums and attending air shows.

Upon leaving the Air Force Bob began work with Deluxe Check Printers as a sales representative. He spent his entire career with Deluxe serving as a Sales Manager and Recruiting Manager. His career took him from Glastonbury, Connecticut to Jacksonville, Florida; and ultimately to Indianapolis, Indiana. He retired from Deluxe in 1993 after 35 years of service. 

He and Sally enjoyed traveling and they took many trips all over the world. His passion, however, was Airstream camping. As a member of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, he loved attending Airstream rallies across the country. He often combined these travels to include family reunions, Air Force reunions, and sightseeing adventures to amazing locations such as Yellowstone National Park and Mt. Rushmore. 

Bob had several notable hobbies that he pursued in his retirement. One was finishing the restoration of the 1912 Stoddard Dayton started by his father and uncle. After towing the car home from Groton in 1983, he was able to get it running for the first time since the 1930’s. In 2011, with wife Sally and sister Marge riding along, Bob drove the Stoddard Daytom around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a treasured memory. He was also an accomplished woodworker - creating many family heirlooms including a grandfather clock, a curio cabinet, decorative tables and other furniture, while also crafting beautiful bowls on his lathe. 

Upon moving to Indianapolis, he joined Second Presbyterian Church, and was an active member of Player’s Club, Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple, and Contemporary Club of Indianapolis. He supported the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and enjoyed their Pops concerts. Following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease he joined Rock Steady Boxing which provided relief, support and camaraderie as he fought the symptoms. 

 He is survived by his two children, David Tabbert (Rebecca Sue) Anderson and Heidi Anderson (Johnny) DeMarco; granddaughter, Emily Margaret Anderson; sister Margery Anderson Greene; nephew Robert Anderson (Brenda) Greene; niece Susan Greene (Neil) Smalheiser; sister-in-law Suzanna Gordner Pollak; brother-in-law Fritz Rudolph (Sanda) Gordner. He is preceded in death by his brother John Richard Anderson; and brothers-in-law Frank Greene and Edward Pollak. 

 Services will be Saturday, July 27th at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street. Visitation will be from 11:30 until the time of service at 1:00 pm at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Second Presbyterian Church, the Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple and Rock Steady Boxing. 

Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.