David Anderson

David (“Dave”) Gary Anderson, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Eau Claire, WI on July 23rd, surrounded by family, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Dave was born on September 1, 1944 to Robert and Marie (Olson) Anderson in Eau Claire. He attended Memorial High School, where he was president of his sophomore class and president of the student council. He graduated in 1962. Following graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1966. He then completed his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1969.

Dave was united in marriage to Carol Peterson on June 21, 1969 and they moved back to Eau Claire. He joined the law firm Morrow and Garvey in 1969 and became partner in 1971 under the firm name Garvey, O’Brien & Anderson (ultimately becoming Garvey, Anderson, Johnson, Geraci and Mirr), where he spent his entire 54-year career.  In 2005, under Dave’s initiative and leadership, the firm merged with Ruder Ware. Dave officially retired in 2014 but remained with Ruder Ware as Vice Chairman and “Of Counsel” until his passing.   As described by both colleagues and clients, Dave was a highly respected, trusted, and enthusiastic negotiator as well as a knowledgeable mentor for young attorneys. Dave was named in The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law from 1991-2023, was a Fellow with the Wisconsin Law Foundation and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Association.

Dave was a very active and proud member of the Eau Claire community, which he served in many ways throughout his life, including longstanding involvement with and service to UW-Eau Claire. He received the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing distinguished service to the community, from the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association in 2005. The David G. Anderson Outstanding Alumni Service Award and David G. Anderson Community Builder Award were established in recognition of excellence in community service and leadership and in partnership with the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and Ruder Ware. Dave also served as Board Chairman of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation for three years at a critical time of leadership transition and project development. He later received the distinction of Lifetime Emeritus Director.  Dave held positions of president, board of directors member and/or board chair for multiple organizations including: Keystone Corporation and Oakwood Business Park, Northland Buildings Inc., Charter Bank, Ruder Ware L.L.S.C., Eau Claire YMCA,  Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, Eau Claire County Bar Association, Eau Claire Main Street Association, Wisconsin Bar Association – District 8 Fee Arbitration Committee, United Way of Eau Claire, Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, London Square Bank (now Alliance Bank), First Federal Bank of Eau Claire, Huntsinger Farms and Silver Spring Garden Inc., Chippewa Valley Museum Foundation, and many others. At various times throughout his career, he was an instructor of economics and business law at UW-Eau Claire and of Real Estate and Estate Planning for the Wisconsin Bar Association Advanced Training Seminars as well as for the University of Wisconsin Law School General Practice.

Dave will always be warmly remembered for his charismatic smile and as a loving, compassionate, and proud husband, father and grandfather; a loyal friend; a trusted business partner; and an overall great man.  He was loved by his family and well-liked by many friends, clients and business associates – entertaining as often as possible. Dave and Carol created many wonderful memories over 54 years of marriage. He cherished spending time with family, especially at the cabin on Lac Courte Oreilles near Hayward for 38 years where he enjoyed boating, pulling waterskiers, building bonfires, “Ranger” rides, and hosting 4th of July fireworks celebrations. Dave also enjoyed attending many of his grandchildren’s activities or cheering them on from afar. In recent years, Dave and Carol split time between Eau Claire and Estero, FL where they made many new friends along with spending time with their snowbird friends from Wisconsin. In both Wisconsin and Florida, he loved playing golf and bridge. Dave and Carol also enjoyed traveling and took several memorable trips with friends. He had a passion for Wisconsin sports teams, including the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and UW-Eau Claire Blugolds. Dave’s other hobbies over the years included reading, woodworking, hunting, chess, tennis, racquetball and squash. And we can’t forget his love of dogs – Dave and Carol had many dogs over the years, each of which held a special place in Dave’s heart. 

Dave is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Marie Anderson, his sister Kay Gumm and infant siblings Carol Anderson and Robert Anderson.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Carol of 54 years; three children: Carrie (Brad) Groseth of Altoona, WI; Robert (Laura) Anderson of Edina, MN; and Peter (Claire) Anderson of Hudson, WI; seven grandchildren: Hannah, Brooke, Lindsey, Lauren, Tanner, Will, and Kate; his brother Roger (Shu) Anderson; and several nieces and nephews who were very special to him.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mayo Hospice and Appeal to Heaven for the comfort and care they provided to Dave and our family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the David G. and Carol L. Anderson Scholarship through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Checks may be mailed to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, PO Box 1208, Eau Claire, WI  54702-1208 or online at https://blugolds.uwec.edu/donate. In the drop down for “What would you like your donation to support” search for the fund by typing “David G. Anderson & Carol L. Anderson Scholarship” or the fund number “2781”. If preferred, memorials may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.

We will welcome guests for visitation on Friday, August 11th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 at Hulke Family Funeral Home in Eau Claire. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Hope Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery.

For those that can not attend in person, the funeral will be live streamed and can be viewed at https://hopechurchec.com/. The video stream will be half way down the page. 

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.