Obituary for
Rev. Herbert E. Anderson
Rev. Herbert E. Anderson
1916 – 2016
“Pastor Herb” Anderson, beloved minister, leader, teacher, world traveler, musician, artist and bicyclist, who inspired many in their Christian faith in Oregon and beyond, went home to be with his Lord at the age of 100 on December 28, 2016.
Herbert Elving Anderson was born March 1, 1916 in Madrid, Iowa to Oscar Albin and Ellen Emilia (Peterson) Anderson. After growing up mostly in Gothenburg, Nebraska, he finished high school in Berkeley, California. He earned a B.A. from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1941 and a B.Theol. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1947. He received an honorary D.Div. from Western Baptist Seminary in 1964.
While a student at Wheaton, Herb met Alice Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson, from Seattle. They married in 1942 and raised six children. Betsy passed away in 1990, son-in-law Robert Nettler in 1999, son Ted in 2014. Herb married BettyLu (Nixon) Johnstone in 1993. He is survived by his wife BettyLu, sons Mark (Bambi), Stephen (Tracy), Tim and Peter, daughter Karen Nettler, and two grandchildren, David and Sarah Anderson.
Both Herb and Betsy were committed to Christian service from the outset. He sang in gospel quartets, preached in churches, organized mission and youth organizations in Salem and Wheaton, and then launched a career as pastor of Conservative Baptist churches in Oregon beginning in Gladstone in the late 1940s, moving on to The Dalles, Lebanon and Hinson Memorial Baptist Church in Portland. After directing the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (renamed World Venture) in Illinois in the late 1960s, he returned to Hinson, then pastored churches in Corvallis and Monmouth. He was president and professor at Judson Baptist College in The Dalles in the early 1980s. Always on the move, Herb never really retired. He served as interim pastor at a dozen churches from Maple Ridge, BC to Prineville, Oregon, and traveled far and wide to speak at conferences and promote Christian missions. Into his 90s, Dr. Herb was teaching biblical studies at Corban University near Salem.
Herb managed a rare combination: he pursued a life of utmost devotion in his study and teaching, driven by a spirit of fun and adventure. He was a ham, always ready to make you laugh. He was never without another adventure in sight. He bundled his wife and kids into the station wagon to camp out and hike in national parks. He moved his young family into the woods during two summers as a fire lookout; Betsy cooked on a wood stove and lit the night with kerosene lamps. He was always eager to hit the road, and to reconnect with friends at every stop.
Herb led 20 trips to Israel and the Middle East, teaching history and Bible lessons. He recruited students to join him on numerous cross-country bicycle treks: the final one – from Salem, Oregon to Washington, DC – when he was 88. He backpacked with his grown children to much-loved destinations on Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, doffing his pack for the last time at age 90. Over his last 23 years, BettyLu was his faithful companion in travels of the road and the heart. In his last decades, he honed his skill as a watercolorist, leaving a legacy of beautiful scenes for his family and friends to enjoy.
Pastor Herb deeply influenced countless students, believers and Christian leaders with his passionate faith, powerful teaching and preaching, open mind and big heart. A man of exceptional gifts and erudition, he never put himself above or judged others; instead, he encouraged all to live up to their best, pursue their dreams, and strengthen their faith. He had boundless compassion especially for people who struggle, and he would reach out first to those at the margins, overlooked by others. He cared deeply about healing poverty and injustice and protecting the natural world.
A public memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21, 2pm, at Hinson Baptist Church, SE 20th and Salmon in Portland. Reception to follow. Memories may be posted on the Herb Anderson Memorial Page on Facebook. Suggested memorial contributions to World Venture, Oregon Center for Christian Voices, Bridge Builders International, and The Nature Conservancy.
