Stanley Charles Anderson, 79 years of age and a longtime resident of the Wishkah Valley, passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021. Stan was born on Feb. 24, 1942, to Stanley F. and Vera E. Anderson in Aberdeen, Washington.
Stan married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Allen, on May 11, 1962, in the Wishkah Valley Community Church. He and Pat loved their friends and family and enjoyed all of the camping, potlucks and card games they had with everyone. They both enjoyed playing blackjack and the slots. They took many trips to Reno and Las Vegas with friends and family. Stan was always happy to tell people how lucky his wife Pat was, and he especially enjoyed all of the comped rooms, meals and limo trips that Pat’s luck brought them. Stan started to show signs of dementia about five years ago but even in the later stages of the disease, he was always quick to say how much he loved Pat.
Stan spent his younger years in Hoquiam and enjoyed reminiscing about time spent with his cousins — especially his boyhood pal, Doug Cochrane. He graduated from Wishkah Valley High School where he loved playing football and was Wishkah’s first Homecoming King. While in high school, Stan worked for Interstate Asphalt and the E.C. Miller lumber mill. After high school, Stan worked in the pulp industry for a few years and then went to work for Grays Harbor County in 1966 where he retired after 38 years. He held many positions at the county, especially working with the road crews on various projects. Stan retired as the Grays Harbor County Road Supervisor in 2004.
Stan loved spending time in the forest hunting deer, elk and grouse, foraging for mushrooms, peeling cascara, family camping trips and swimming in new-found swimming holes. He loved the ocean, especially clam digging, and loved going for drives to the South Beach with his family. He instilled his love of nature in his children who continue to hunt, hike, camp and appreciate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He was also a great treasure hunter, searching the Wishkah Valley for old homesteads where he would unearth antique glassware and other treasures. Stan was a great practical joker, especially in the company of his life-long friend and hunting partner, Sam Ancich, who preceded him in death.
Stan loved to cook for his family and spent many hours preparing dishes that his mother prepared for him and his brothers. He and Pat were famous for their Hawaiian meatball recipe, a much requested dish by family and friends whenever the occasion arose. And yes, just so everyone knows, Stan did put some elk meat in every batch when he, Steve or a friend had a lucky hunting year.
Stan is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Julie Anderson (Leslie Tikka), son Steven Anderson (Gayle), granddaughters Erin Anderson and Ryan Anderson, Toni Fairchild and her children Tyler and Clare, great-nephew, Joshua Berry, brother Edward Anderson, nieces, nephews and the many friends of Steve and Julie’s who frequented the family dinner table over the years. There will be a celebration of Stan’s life once the weather warms up. Details will be available via FaceBook and posted at Thompson’s Grocery in the Wishkah Valley.
Stan and his family rescued many pets over the years and he felt a great deal of gratitude toward the Wishkah Volunteer Fire Department. If you feel called to make a donation in Stan’s name, the family suggests donating to the Wishkah Valley Volunteer Fire Department or Grays Harbor PAWS.
