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Bob Anderson spent his life devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was known for his thoughtfulness and generosity.
Robert Ernest Anderson was born in Carrizo Springs, TX to Emory and Sarah Anderson. He spent part of his youth living with his grandparents on the King Ranch then moved to Corpus Christi where he graduated from Miller High School. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He received his B.S. in Chemistry and Physics and M.S. in Physics from Texas A&I College in Kingsville. He taught at San Antonio Junior College for several years before receiving his PhD in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin.
He was an early pioneer of transistor research at Texas Instruments Inc. Some of his well-known work was his patent on the first doubled diffused silicon transistor and ohmic contact to silicon in 1954 and 1957 as well as eleven other patents. He accepted a teaching position at Texas A&I and continued his research work. He supervised the work of many graduate students at Texas A&I as well as at Southwest Texas State College (now known as Texas State University at San Marcos) in San Marcos when he assumed the post of Physics Department first Chair in 1966. He was a consultant most of his teaching career and was a Fellow in the Texas Academy of Science. He retired after 41 years of teaching and was awarded Professor Emeritus.
Bob loved all types of building and was able to convert a large tract of land between San Marcos and Kyle into a viable mobile home park. He was concerned about providing a nice place for his tenants to live.
Bob was active in his church and a lifelong fisherman, particularly enjoying fishing in Baffin’s Bay and Alaska.
He and his wife, Fran, were avid members of the Wheels n’ Deals Square Dancing Club. They also traveled extensively in their RV all across the nation.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Fran, his mother, Sarah Anderson, his father, Emory and brother, Thomas Anderson. He is survived by his children, Jan Redden (John), Charles Anderson (Kathy), and Della Teraoka (Wes). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brent Redden (Katie), Kaitlyn Holden (Corey), Samantha Anderson, and Justin and Mari Kunimune, his great-granddaughters, Kali and Sara Redden, and great-grandson, Gideon Holden.
Special thanks to caregiver, Ramona Estrada, and the staff at Brookdale Round Rock and Guiding Hospice.
Services will be held at Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos on Friday, September 13. Visitation at 9 a.m., funeral services at 10 a.m., with graveside service at the San Marcos City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the care of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche St., 512-353-4311.
