Roger L. Anderson

Roger L. Anderson

Roger L. Anderson, age 74, passed away Oct. 7, 2021 in Pullman, Washington, of the darned COVID pneumonia. He was born March 15, 1947 to David R. and Doris K. (Luth) Anderson in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. The family moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1952 where he grew up. They moved out to the country in June of 1953 where he attended Pleasant View School and Hononegah High School. After high school, Roger proudly served in the US Coast Guard. He finished his duty stationed in Alaska, where he spent the rest of his life. And what a life he had.

After his discharge in Ketchikan, he moved to Anchorage. For a short time, he worked as a cab driver and then worked at the airport checking in overseas planes. He moved to Palmer for 10 years or so, working at a feed store and becoming an iron worker all over the state before he started working on the Slope, supervising moving in the modules. Roger bought property near Talkeetna. He opened and ran an auto repair shop at the Junction for about 15 years. He moved on to selling real estate for a few years.

Then about 1998 he started his own company, AKCoolTools, and began selling Hitchmaster, Clamptite, flags and flagpoles. Roger grew his company doing shows in Southcentral and the 48. He and Donna St. John met in 2007 and they made an awesome team. He sure enjoyed meeting the many customers. But, being at his cabin between shows was what made him the happiest, which is where his ashes will be placed.

Roger so loved Alaska and the adventures he had there. Time at the cabin was first and foremost on his list of places to be. Maybe second would have been with Donna’s sister Janet and husband Ben at their farm in Palouse, Washington. He never knew what would be in store there, from helping Ben to fix equipment, driving the Cat, helping with harvest or drinking a beer at the end of a day. Often, he would help with Haunted Palouse where he met new friends.

Roger was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 15, the Palmer Moose Lodge, and the Alaska Airman’s Association. He loved meeting old and new friends.

He is survived by his partner, Donna St. John; brothers, Morgan of Wisconsin and Paul (Gretchen) of Illinois; sister, Nadine (Don) Shell of Connecticut; sister-in-law, Elana Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Marvin (at birth), and Darwin (2016).

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 13 at the American Legion Post 15, 1550 Mystic Circle in Palmer at 1 pm. There will be finger foods following. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to American Legion Post 15, P.O Box 1446, Palmer, AK 99645 or to your charity of choice.