Hugo Anderson
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Hugo Anderson |
Hugo Anderson, prominent Culver man, has been named Farm Bureau Insurance agent for
Union, West, Green and Polk Townships of Marshall county, according to Ray Borggren,
agency manager at Plymouth.
Mr. Anderson will be offering a complete insurance service, including all converages for
residnets of his area.
Married to the former Mary Lou Gysin of Culver, "Andy" moved here from Chicago nine
years ago. The couple has a son and daughter, Bruce and Toni
The new Farm Bureau Insurance agent has attended the Life Insurance marketing
Institute at Purdue University and a fire and casualty school conducted by the
Company. Ray Borggren states that diversified schooling will continue to be an
intergral part of Anderson's Carreer - 16 Nov. 1960 CItizen
Hugo Anderson Named Farm Bureau Insurance Regional Sales Manager
The Hugo B. Anderson family former CuUlver residents, have recently moved from
Danville, Ind. to Fort Wayne.
Mr. Anderson, who is with Farm Bureau Indurance has received a promotion from
Agency Manager to Regional Sales MAnager of Region Two. This territory includes the
counties of Allen, WHitley, Kosciusko, Wabash, DeKalb, Noble, ELkhart, LaGrange and
Steuben
Mr. Anderson assumed his duties Jan. 1 of this year and was joined by Mrs. Anderson and
their two children, Toni and Bruce at the end of the Danville School semester.
Their new addreww is 2529 Sherborn Blvd Fot Wayne Ind.
Mr. Anderson was Farm Bureau Insurance Agent in Marshall county prior to accepting the
position of Agency Manager of Hendricks county Indiana Feb 26 1964 - Citizen
His smile was infectious, his laughter … contagious … and his sense of humor was undoubtedly
witty! He loved to see just how “long” it took for you to “get the joke” and then, that’s when
his smile and laughter took over! He could fill a room with his joy and enthusiasm.
Hugo (Andy) Anderson was a truly genuine and kind friend, a loving
husband and a devoted father. |
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On Monday July 27, … our dad, Andy – simply did not wake up in this world – but rather woke
up to another beautiful world that had been waiting for him. What a glorious day and reunion
for him, Marylou, his family, friends and … pets!
It is a time for reflection for us, to step away from the daily routine, to reminisce, tell stories,
maybe cry a bit, but mostly talk about how fortunate we have been, to have such a great dad.
We have stumbled across a lot of “goodies” from the past: from his Army honorable discharge
papers, cards and notes, to his resume! We would like to share just a few things with you, as
you remember Andy. We hope they stir and conjure up joyful memories of your own.
No doubt, he has already had his first scotch and cigar, on the other side!
Hugo Bernard Anderson Jr. (that’s right, he was a Jr.!) was born in Chicago on October 21, 1927.
He lived a normal kid’s life with his older brother Chuck, younger sister Joanne and brother Dick.
He earned a little money resetting bowling pins by hand, figured out how to get to Wrigley Field
to watch his beloved Cubs and learned how to lay flooring with his dad, Hugo Sr.
Some of his fondest memories that he loved were of his time at Bass Lake. His mom inherited a
farm near the lake and Andy spent many summers there. He told the story that once he and a
friend attempted to their ride bikes from Chicago to Bass Lake on the back roads. After a while
they decided to turn back!
Andy went to Calumet High School in Chicago and was in the ROTC. He graduated mid-year,
then joined the Army in February 1946. He served until August 1947. This time produced some
of his fondest memories and in hindsight, probably instilled in him the importance of teamwork
and helped develop his leadership skills.
He began his army career at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas for basic training. After training
he boarded a train headed to Washington State. As he told the story, at some point, the train
stopped, was divided, with half of the train going to Washington, and perhaps on to Asia, and
his half going to Camp Carson, Colorado to join the 10th Mountain Division for mountain training.
In the mountains, this Chicago kid learned about “climbing and had the most fun of all repelling,
especially the 100 to 150 foot drops.” The winter at Cooper Hill (Leadville, Colorado) was very
memorable as well… “living in tents at the timberline and having a snow that lasted ten days and
nights is something no one could forget.” Importantly from that experience, Andy learned the
hard way of how to keep his boots warm! He was a driver for the Regimental staff and was
fortunate to drive his commanders down the mountain to base camp for the weekends, where
he himself could stay and get a hot meal!
After the Army he came home to Bass Lake and started a concrete manufacturing business with
his dad, called Bass Lake Concrete Company. Hugo Sr. passed unexpectedly, leaving Andy to do
all aspects of the business from the labor to sales.
In September of 1948 he began laying linoleum, as his father had taught him, while he waited to
become a student in January of 1949 at the American TV School in Chicago. After a semester of
school and with the need to make a living, he became a Fuller Brush salesman and then worked
for the Studebaker Corporation.
In February of 1952 he landed a job at ASR Products, Kingsbury Division, and began climbing the
company ladder; from being a clerk, to an assistant foreman, manager and then the Lead Foreman
of Transportation and Salvage, supervising 30 employees.
All of his working experience prepared him for a long career with Farm Bureau Insurance and honed
his abilities to interact, work with, and lead people and teams. At the core, Andy was a person who
truly enjoyed meeting people and conversing, whether it was through work experiences, family
gatherings or just in passing.
While living at Bass Lake, Andy met the love of his life,
Marylou Gysin from Culver. One of his friends
brought her as his date to a dance club. Andy was quit smitten with her and later politely asked his
friend how serious they were, as he wanted to ask her out on a date. Thank goodness his friend
said they were “just friends”, and Andy asked Marylou out. The rest is history as they say and on
April 18, 1952 they were married in Culver.
Andy and Marylou had two children, John Bruce and Toni Marie and together they created a suitcase
full of memories growing up in Culver on Lake Maxinkuckee. Their little house on the lake was only
6 steps away from Pop’s house (Marylou’s dad). With a lake for their front yard and Pop next door,
the world was full of endless creative opportunities for Marylou and Andy’s two youngsters!
Opportunity then came knocking on the door for Andy. On October 20, 1960, a day before his 33rd
birthday, he became a sales agent for Farm Bureau Insurance. That started a thirty year career as he
worked his way quickly from being a Field Agent to becoming an Agency Manager, a Regional Sales
Manager, then the Vice President of Marketing at the home office in Indianapolis, to finally the Senior
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Imagine that, Andy running a large Marketing and
Public Relations department! He was quite “right” for the position!
The family moved from Culver for a short time to Danville, then Fort Wayne and finally Indianapolis.
But Andy and Marylou had the foresight to keep that little family house on Lake Maxinkuckee, which
had been in Marylou’s family since 1909. The Culver home eventually became their retreat and
sanctuary and a place for family and friends to come together, converse, relax and enjoy each other’s
company!
Andy loved Lake Maxinkuckee. He loved sitting on the front porch and watching the lake change with
each day and season. He loved sitting on the deck smoking a cigar and having his favorite drink of
Dewar’s scotch and water, after 5 p.m., of course!
His family grew, with Toni marrying Bob, having 3 boys, John, Tim and Tom… and Bruce marrying Viki.
Andy loved when everyone could be at the lake together. He loved driving the boat (all day sometimes),
pulling either a skier or tuber – no doubt one of the grandkids or us. The little house was full of fun and
laughter.
He and Marylou were so fortunate in many ways, not only with the gift of a wonderful family – but also
with the opportunities that his position at Farm Bureau offered through incentive travel. And travel they
did!
There were fishing trips to Canada, as well as trips to Florida, New Orleans, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San
Francisco, and Hawaii. But probably some of the most memorable trips were to sites that neither could
have imagined in the early 1950’s as they raised their young children. Just to name a few, there were
Caribbean cruises as well as trips to; Acapulco, Switzerland, Ireland, England, Bermuda, Rio in Brazil, Rome
in Italy and Australia!
While Marylou departed us too early in 2009, dad continued to be devoted to us, and watched hisv
family grow again; as John married Sarah and had two children, William and Jack, Tim met and married
Christine while in the Army stationed in Italy, and Tom became a university student after 8 years of
being a Marine. Needless to say, Andy was ever so “in love” and proud of his family.
Over the last four years, dad lived in two senior communities. He met so many beautiful friends, both
residents and staff. We cannot name them all. They are wonderful and helped dad navigate these
final years with grace, humility and of course, humor and laughter. To name just a very few: thank
you to Jalene, Judith, Phebe, Caryl, Jo, and Lin for your support and encouragement. A word of
wisdom from Andy – always make sure the coffee is hot and that there is toast for breakfast!
There are so many stories to tell. After dad’s passing – we went to our little home in Culver on
Lake Maxinkuckee, to be together as family, to laugh, cry and reminisce. The lake and house provide
us solace and always welcomes us with a history of family love. We know dad and mom would want
us to be together in Culver.
As you sit on your porch chair or favorite resting place, please raise a glass to Hugo / Andy / Dad /
Grandpa / Great-Grandpa and toast to all the fortunes that we have: family, good friends and good
times … not only from the past but also for those to come. Andy would have it no other way.
Lastly, if you have a memory that you would like to share, we welcome your story, just to know more
about our dad … Andy. Blessings to all, may your days always be filled with joy and a hint of that
infectious smile and laughter that dad had.
Toni Gannon and Bruce and Viki Anderson