Allen E. “Gene” Anderson died peacefully at his home on September 6, 2019. He was born on June 10, 1939 in Raymondville, Texas to Allen A. Anderson and Irene Riley Anderson.
He graduated from Ruston (Louisiana) High School and Louisiana Tech University with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer. He served in the United States Navy. Gene worked in the electric utility business in many capacities, retiring at age 75 from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Agency as their representative in the Southwest Power Pool’s effort to form a regional transmission organization. He was a member of the Market Working Group, and Regional Tariff Working Group and a participant in the deliberations of the Strategic Planning Committee. He taught adult Sunday School and small group Bible Studies all of his adult life, and was a Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church for many years.
Gene was defined by his faith, his ethics and integrity, his love of other people, and his intellectual curiosity. Above all, he valued his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kenneth Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sydney (Tooke); his sons William Roberts (Abbie); David Allen (Shawn); grandchildren Katherine Louise and Samuel Allen ; and sisters Delores Anderson (M.B.) and Shirley Wesselhoeft (Adolph).
Visitation will be Saturday, September 14, from 9:00-11:00 at Epworth United Methodist Church at 65th and Allisonville Road in Indianapolis with a memorial service to follow at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to his favorite charity: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), 810 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.
Online condolences may be shared at www.indianafuneralcare.com.
Michael Ross says
Gene was one of the finest men I’ve ever met.
He, Les England and I spent virtually all of 6 months together in the second half of 1975 as Gulf States Utilities Co. headquarters personnel assigned to help with the startup of the Willow Glen Unit 5 heavy-oil power plant, south of Baton Rouge, during the company and its union’s long labor-contract impasse/strike. We worked 12 hour shifts — 6 to 6: am to pm for 12 days, then after two days off, pm to am.
Nearly every evening, we ate our main meal at the same restaurant (Pinetta’s) because Les and I never tired of its interesting Trieste cuisine. Gene was fine with the choice, but was perplexed by our enthusiasm for food and wine. “You guys love to eat; I eat to live,” he said. It was not a criticism, but rather an exposition of his priorities, which were no-frills excellence. With a smile, heart patience and generosity. Gene was a delight to work with.
I was thrilled to have re-connected with Gene a few months ago with a long and wonderful phone call. We had both left Gulf States not long after the strike, so we had a lot of catching up to do. I am devastated that he’s now gone. I had hoped that I could someday swing by Indiana to visit him in person.
I give my deepest condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren. Gene was one fine person.