Obituary of Roweland D. Anderson

Roweland Anderson passed away at his home on Dec. 20, 2008 with his family by his side after a 4 year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on July 23, 1939 in Portland, OR. Roweland was adopted into the family of Marvin and Rowenette Anderson of Tillamook, Oregon. He grew up in Portland and Tillamook. He graduated from Tillamook High School in 1957. He attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho from 1957 to 1963, obtaining a degree in education. While at NNC he met and married his wife, Virginia. Roweland taught in Moses Lake, WA for four years. In 1967, he began teaching in Camas where he taught for 25 years. He was active in the education association and served as president twice. He earned a Masterâ??s Degree from the University of Portland and his administrative certificate from Central Washington State College. Roweland was always someone who loved new adventures: challenges, places, and people. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, oil painting, woodworking, gardening, camping, traveling and volunteering with the Boy Scouts. Throughout all of Rowelandâ??s life, his faith in God was evident. He served on church boards, taught adult Sunday school classes, and even led services on camping trips. Roweland and Virginia had three children: Carole, Kirt, and Douglas Marlo who died shortly after birth. His children, their spouses Steve and Melissa, and 6 wonderful grandchildren, Jacob, Evan, Andy, Dean, Grace, and Adam, brought Roweland much happiness and pride. A highlight of the last few years was to meet his birth family. In 2000 Roweland had the privilege of meeting his birth mother and three half-siblings. In 2008 he met some of the family of his birth father. He is survived by his wife Virginia, 2 children, 6 grandchildren, step-mother Alma Anderson, siblings Marvelina Bennett, Darlene Bone, and Robert Anderson, birth mother Ruth Cross and her daughters Gerry and Susie, and 9 half-siblings from his birth father. Rowelandâ??s Memorial Service will be held at Camas Church of the Nazarene, 2204 NE Birch, Camas, WA on January 10, 2009 at 1 PM. Memorial Contributions can be made in his memory to the Camas Education Foundation, 1919 NE lone Street, Camas, WA 98607 or to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.