Richard "Rich" Emil Anderson's Obituary
Richard “Rich” Emil Anderson age 88 of Concordia Care Center in Bella Vista, Arkansas died February26, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Bella Vista.
Richard was born on a farm South of Blair, Nebraska on November 25, 1934, to Walter and Lily Anderson. He was the third of four children. He graduated in the top 10 of his class from Blair High School in 1952.
After graduation he joined the Navy Reserve in 1954. He went active duty in the US Navy and served aboard the USS Hamner DD718 and the USS Gregory DD802. He was discharged in October 1956 and went to work for Safeway Stores, Inc. in Fort Dodge, Iowa. On October 27, 1957, he married Sandra Johnson. In 1960 he was transferred to Mason City, Iowa to manage the produce department and then was promoted to assistant manager and eventually store manager. Their two children were born in Mason City, Sherri and Royce.
In 1970 Rich was transferred to Grand Island, Nebraska to manage that store and the new store they built in 1972. While in Grand Island Rich and the family attended a Lay Witness Mission at a Community Church and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. Rich was very active in the church leading bible studies and serving as a deacon and also an Elder at Village Bible EFC in Bella Vista.
In 1974 Rich left Safeway and purchased Anderson’s Jack and Jill in Tekamah, Nebraska. In 1978 he sold that store and purchased Rich’s Super Foods in Wayne, Nebraska.
In 1983 Rich and Sandra moved their family to Bella Vista, Arkansas. He earned his real estate license and enjoyed selling real estate-earning “Million Dollar Club” sales honors.
In 1995 he opened Big Red Gallery a fine art gallery with custom framing. He had locations in the Dixieland Mall in Rogers, Arkansas and the NWA mall in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He built a barn on his property to replace an old one that had fallen down and operated the gallery from there until 2015 when his health forced him to retire.
Rich enjoyed gardening, watching Nebraska Cornhuskers football, golfing, and spending time with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife and sister Dorothy.
He is survived by his daughter Sherri and husband Larry Rice, son Royce Anderson, grandchildren Lauren Nichols (Joe) Blake Anderson (Analise) Reece Anderson and Jaxon Anderson, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, brother Robert and sister Darlene McGrath.
A Graveside service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday March 1, 2023, at Bentonville Cemetery under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home Rogers.
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