Richard J.T. Anderson, 90, passed away on February 23, 2021, surrounded by his wife of 67 years, Joanne C. Anderson, and his loving family. Richard served as a respected attorney in Boise for over 65 years, and was known by his friends and close family as “Dick” Anderson.
He was born on a summer day, June 25, 1930, in Mountain Home, Idaho. His parents, Eugene H. Anderson and Golda O. Anderson, moved to Boise, with their young family several years later, settling in a lovely home on Overland Road. He attended the neighborhood schools and later graduated from Boise High School in 1948. Richard attended Boise Junior College (where he first met his wife-to-be, Joanne Cutler) and later University of Idaho School of Law, graduating with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1954.
Richard grew up enjoying a variety of adventures. He was a boy scout and enjoyed many activities including, camping, fishing, and hunting and shared stories of many of his youthful experiences. He talked about the old, worn out Model–T he and his other 12-year-old friends acquired for around $15 dollars and rigged up to run on the then rural roads near his home. The local sheriff told the boys they could drive their contraption wherever they liked as long as they didn’t cross the river into the city limits. Other fond memories included duck hunting early in the morning before heading to class in high school.
His father was one of the organizers that developed the old Eagleson Ranch into what is now the Hillcrest golf course, and Richard was introduced to golf at a young age. He spent a great deal of time on the course and became an avid and accomplished golfer, one of the longest actively golfing members of Hillcrest Country Club. He was serious about studying and perfecting all aspects of the game and competed at a high level from the very beginning. He missed winning a championship tournament just this past summer by only one stroke, shortly after his 90th birthday.
During his years in college, he talked of one of his summer jobs, based at a ranger station high in the mountains of Idaho. The area sheriff deputized him while he was stationed there, as he would often be the only person of “authority” in the immediate area to respond to a situation. He was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity and an active member of college service groups. His community service involvement continued in the years after college and it fascinated his kids every time we drove past Lucky Peak Dam, to think of him climbing along the rocky face of the dam painting “Keep Idaho Green."
After receiving his law degree and passing the bar, Richard joined his father’s esteemed law firm, Anderson Kaufman, and began a long career in law, eventually specializing in trusts, estate, real estate and business law. He was known by his clients as a gentleman and man of his word who worked to serve their legal needs with exactness and integrity. As many of his clients grew older and needed extra help, he would step beyond the business-like role as attorney and became a caring friend and guardian.
Richard was very supportive of his wife and children in their activities, often encouraging us to keep trying if we stumbled or to try something new. He supported Joanne’s interests in music and musical theater, several times working as stage crew for Boise Music Week as Joanne performed. He enjoyed accompanying her to many area arts events and Boise Philharmonic concerts. He was a loyal supporter of Boise State football, basketball and volunteered for the Albertsons Open Golf Tournament for over 30 years.
He and Joanne have four children, Richard Mark Anderson, Martha (Jim) Borchers, Leslie (Steve) Crowley and Steve (Jenni) Anderson. His family has prospered to include 22 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with 2 more expected this summer.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, older sister Carolyn Kennedy and younger sister Judith Hearn.
The family will host a viewing for friends and family on Thursday, March 4, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Relyea Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 5, at 11:30 am. Service attendance will be limited due to Covid-19 protocols to immediate family. Extended family and friends are invited to join the service via the live webcast (link is located below.)