David Ross Anderson (Dave) passed away peacefully January 28, 2023, at Elaine’s Hope of the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa. Dave is survived by his children, Tim (Jennifer) Anderson of Mequon, Joni (Jay) Yuergens of Brookfield and Dan Anderson of Wauwatosa. Dave (Bumpa) loved his grandchildren Paige, Peyton and Lily Anderson and Grace and Ava Yuergens. He is also survived by his brother Bill (Candy) Anderson, his sister-in-law Cathie Anderson, and sisters-in-law Wilma (Bill) Dotter and Ardis Bufton, as well as many nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond.
Dave was born in Beloit, Wisconsin to Borghild and Walter Anderson on January 11, 1938, and was the second of four children. David met his future bride, Carol Greenwood, in Junior High, he being one year her senior. They dated through junior and senior high school. After high school, Dave attended Wisconsin State College-Whitewater where he majored in accounting and would commute on the weekends back to Beloit to visit his beloved Carol, to whom he was married for sixty-one and a half years. After graduation, Dave served in the United States Army, and upon returning to Wisconsin began his career at Fairbanks-Morse, then Arthur Young in public accounting. Lastly, he was employed at Milsco Manufacturing where he eventually became CEO, and in 1994 sold the company to Jason Corporation.
He was so proud of the fact that Milsco made seats for Harley Davidson and John Deere, that he personalized his license plate to say “SEATMKR”. He had several causes, charities, and organizations for which he was passionate, including Life Navigators, Young Presidents’ Organization, St. Matthew’s Church, MSOE, Luther Manor, and Muscular Dystrophy (Black & Blue Ball Co-Chair). His greatest honor was when he and Carol were chosen as the 2016 Life Navigators Challenger Honorees, an honor they were humbled to receive.
Dave loved to travel and was fortunate to have visited 124 different countries throughout his lifetime. He liked a good cruise anywhere in the world and worked tirelessly to find the “best” seats on each plane depending on the trip. Dave also loved to ride Harleys and was an original member of “The Leatherbutts”, a motorcycle riding group in Milwaukee. He was also a long-time member at Bluemound Country Club, where Carol often grew impatient with him slicing left and right of the fairways, and as a result, looking for “free” golf balls.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, his brother Dennis, sister Janet, and infant son Thomas.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on February 11th from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Matthew’s Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa with a memorial service to follow. A luncheon reception will be held at Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club, 7700 Harwood Avenue, Wauwatosa immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Dave’s name be made to Life Navigators, 7203 West Center Street, Wauwatosa, WI.
