Insurance agent Walter B. Anderson was a problem solver. The Omahan continued to call on clients until he retired last March at the age of 91.
"He had many loyal clients," said a son, Roderic Anderson of Omaha. "His friends became his clients. And his clients became his friends.
"Whenever they had a problem, they would call him. All times of day and night, he would take calls from people with emergencies. He would give them the number of a plumber, tell them who to call to get the water out of the basement and fix the hail damage on the roof."
Anderson died in his sleep Sunday at his assisted-living apartment in Lakeside Village. He would have celebrated his 92nd birthday March 19. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific St.
Anderson was born in Omaha, graduated from Central High School and earned a degree in business from Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha).
He met his future wife, Jean Pratt, while working part time at the Martin Bomber Plant during World War II. They were married March 11, 1944, and raised their five sons at a home they built near 91st and Pacific Streets. His wife died in 1999, and he sold the house about 10 years later.
Anderson worked many years as an independent insurance agent with H.L. Osborne and Associates. After the death of Osborne, Anderson joined NP Dodge Insurance Co. in 1990.
He was active in the Douglas County Republican Party, the Lions Club, the Exchange Club, the Masons and Junior Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Westside school board from the late 1950s to the early 1960s.
Anderson was first, and foremost, a family man, his son recalled. "He was the go-to guy," he said. "His motto was 'I can handle it.' In trying to get something done, it was 'I'll make it work.' Nothing happened around the house that he couldn't fix."
He added that his father maintained the home, built decks and regularly mowed his lawn until he was 85.
Anderson's other survivors include sons Richard of Omaha, Scot of Fort Myers, Fla., Peter of Kansas City, Mo., and Bruce of Olathe, Kan.; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1052, jane.palmer@owh.com
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