WHEREAS, Robert Joseph Anderson, a successful entrepreneur and a dedicated public servant in Clifton Forge, died on April 1, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Joseph "Joe" Anderson joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II as a member of the United States Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Joe Anderson graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois, and worked as a licensed embalmer and funeral director; and

WHEREAS, Joe Anderson relocated to Clifton Forge in 1960 and established the Anderson Monument Company in 1962 and Anderson Family Pools in 1965; he later opened branches of both businesses in Daleville; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Clifton Forge community, Joe Anderson ran for and was elected to the Clifton Forge Town Council and subsequently became mayor; and

WHEREAS, Joe Anderson also offered his leadership to the Alleghany County School Board; Clifton Forge Main Street, Inc.; the Selective Service Board; the Clifton Forge Electoral Board; and many other civic and service organizations; and

WHEREAS, among his proudest achievements as a public servant, Joe Anderson established the Clifton Forge Public Library during his tenure as mayor and oversaw the construction of Mountain View Elementary School and Clifton Middle School; and

WHEREAS, a patron of the arts, Joe Anderson supported the Historic Masonic Theatre and Amphitheatre and the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, and he opened the Amerind Gallery in Daleville to showcase Native American art; and

WHEREAS, Joe Anderson enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of Central United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Louise; and one daughter, Linda, Joe Anderson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Betty; his daughters, Lauren and Annette, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert Joseph Anderson, a pillar of the Clifton Forge community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert Joseph Anderson as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.