Paul Edward Anderson of San Diego, Calif., died Dec. 22, 2012, at age 89. Born March 4, 1923, in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Paul was the oldest child of three. While in high school, he played varsity football and the trombone. He also played in the municipal band. Music and sports were always a big part of his life. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and later a faithful Oakland As and Padres fan. During his high school years, he worked as a lifeguard, a soda jerk, and a J.C. Penney sales clerk. His working life began when he delivered papers during his elementary school years.

From January 14, 1943, until December 30, 1945, he served in the Army as an MP in the Persian Gulf Service Command in Bandar Shapur, Iran, a hot, humid, isolated, but very important outpost where supplies were transferred from ships to trains to be transported on the one-rail line across the desert and the mountains to Russia. His time in the military had a profound influence on his life; and for many years, he attended annual Company D reunions in Wisconsin. He maintained lifelong bonds with his Army buddies of whom he was one of the very few remaining.

Once he was discharged, he was planning to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison; but when he accompanied his cousin, Peter, to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, he registered on the spot. He frequently said that was one of the best decisions he ever made. At Luther, he earned his Bachelor's Degree, met and fell in love with JOYCE (HEMMA) ANDERSON ‘49. They married in 1950 and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1953. Here, the other love of his life, Kathi, was born. He embarked on an insurance career which lasted 35 years and earned the designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter which led to his managing the premium audit department at Fireman's Fund home office in San Francisco. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, camping, hiking, music, square dancing, golf, bridge and traveling. He was active in church life, serving on the council in various capacities and singing in the choir.

After 46 years in their San Leandro home, Paul and Joyce moved to Rancho Bernardo to be closer to Kathi and her family. Above all, from his childhood on, Paul loved his family. Every Friday, he picked up Zachary, his only grandchild, from school and together they prepared for Zachary's violin lessons. "Pay attention to the beat, Zachary!"

To the end, Paul was loving, considerate, empathetic and as helpful and independent as possible. He died peacefully at home. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Paul was preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter, Kathi, son-in-law, Jesse, grandson, Zachary and several nieces and nephews.