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Bruce Wylie Anderson

Bruce Wylie Anderson passed away on October 5, 2020, in Overland Park, Kansas, after a long battle with dementia. He was born on March 2, 1934, in Greeley, Colorado, the son of Minnie and Bruce Anderson.

 

Wylie, as he was known to his family and friends, was a professor and department head of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for 35 years. He received an undergraduate degree in 1956 from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as a master’s degree from the University of Denver, a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Doctorate from the University of Iowa.

 

Wylie served in the United States Army and taught in the public school systems of both Greeley, Colorado and Bakersfield, California. He also taught at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska; Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado; and the University of Northern Iowa.

 

Wylie and his wife of 59 years, Rosemary, enjoyed summers in Glen Haven, Colorado. They joined the Summer’s Residents Association (SRA) of Estes Park, Colorado, and had many friends in the area.

Wylie was a member of the Board of Directors of Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank for 20 years; a member and presenter of the Missouri Valley Economics Association and the Midwest Economics Association; and a columnist for the Waterloo, Iowa Courier/Cedar Falls, Iowa Record for 15 years.

 

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his son, Gregory (Pamela); his daughter, Karen (Brian); and three grandchildren: Andie Divelbiss, Samuel Anderson, and Benjamin Divelbiss. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles Wilbur Anderson and David Warner Anderson, and sister Josephine Winifred Gettman.

 

No memorial services have been planned. Donations in his name may be made to the Salvation Army, his favorite charity.

 

 
Send Condolences

Condolences

Lynn Fearis Oct 10, 2020

Rosemary & Wylie’s neighbor in Fieldstone. David is now a resident at 3 Wicklow also. He moved in in July. We are so sorry for your loss. Rosemary, I hope things are good with you. ,Overland Park ,Kansas

David and I are neighbors from Fieldstone. David also has Alzheimer’s and moved into Care Havens #3 Wicklow home on June 30. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that Rosemary is staying well. Care Haven is a wonderful place and now Wylie is in the best place. Peace be with all of you. Love, Lynn

Barbara Dowd Oct 11, 2020

Cedar Falls Church friend ,Cedar Falls ,Iowa

Sending my sympathies to you all. I don't have Rosemary's address to send a card but wanted you to know, there are many here thinking of you and sending prayers of support. Wylie was a character. I ran into Rosemary and Wylie in Estes Park about 7 or 8 years ago at Poppys eating with friends. I will remember him as he was then. Blessings and peace. Barb Dowd

Mary Friehe Oct 11, 2020

SRA friends ,Omaha ,Nebraska

I have many memories of Wylie. He & my dad often had coffee with the SRA guys on Saturday mornings. In the years before he & Rosie moved from Glen Haven, dad & I might stop at Mickey Ds for breakfast on mondays & join the Andersons while they did their laundry. When I first met Wylie, he was intimidating. Opposite of Rosemary. Then I found out he wore tennis shoes that have lighted soles to church. He really made it with me when he proposed & got approved more equitable membership dues for singles. Not uncommon for the 80-90s when single dues was the same as a couple. The furniture that he built was functional & attractive. He so liked the turkey that roamed the yard & other mountain “critters”. Most of all he acted gruff at times, but the bark was worse than the bite. 😊. He was quite a character!

Donna LaBach Oct 11, 2020

Yoga friend of Rosemary ,Overland Park ,Kansas

I am thinking of you, Rosemary. I know you experienced many difficult days, for several years. But I also know that you have many years of warm memories. Your friend, Donna LaBach

kirk manfredi Oct 12, 2020

colleague ,Cedar Falls ,Iowa

Wylie was one of the very first people I met in Cedar Falls dating back to 1986. We were part of a "coffee group" at 7:00 AM in the Maucker Union. This group was Wylie, Jim MacMIllan, Marian Krogmann and myself. We were often visited by Daryl Davis, Ed Amend, Dennis Cryer, and Jack Wilkinson. I have remained friends with all of these people since 1986. I truly appreciated our many discussions as we could have solved most of the world's problems back than if we could have simply Tweeted the answers to everyone. When I heard of Wylie's passing I went out to my driveway to view Wylie's initials that he felt he needed to put in the wet cement of my new driveway back in 1983. My condolences to Rosemary and the Anderson family.

Carole Sandeen Oct 12, 2020

friend ,Omaha ,Nebraska

When I was a freshman at UNI, I took Dr. Anderson's 8:00 Macroeconomics class. Boy, what an awakening he gave all of us on that first day of class! Three weeks later, my Mom suddenly and unexpectedly died. I know that Wylie always looked out for me after that. He was tough and yet also soft hearted. Wylie definitely left an impression on me. To this day, I still recall when he told all of us in class that we weren't there to get a job, we were there to get an education. I'm thankful that I had a chance to know him.

Jon Thorson Oct 19, 2020

Former student of Rosemary ,Cedar Falls ,Iowa

Dear Rosemary and Anderson family, Our condolences of the passing of Bruce. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Lovingly, Jon & Lise Thorson

Brad Jacobson Oct 21, 2020

Former Student ,Cedar Falls ,Iowa

Hello, I recently read the article in the Waterloo Courier about Wylie's passing. I am graduate of UNI and I vividly remember my first college class, Monday morning, 8:00 am with Wylie Anderson. Wylie came in and wrote TANSTAAFL on the board. This was the discussion for the day. "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch". The course was Economics 101, and made an impression on me. I now have a son that is a UNI Freshman, and he has heard the story of my first class many times. I share that story about my first class with others frequently. Wylie was a wonderful instructor and made quite an impression. Sincerely, Brad Jacobson

Charles C Gillette Nov 05, 2020

My condolences to Rosemary, Karen and Greg. May your good memories of Wylie support and sustain you. May Wylie rest in peace.