Robert Bradford "RB" Anderson Jr.

Robert Bradford “RB” Anderson, Jr. died April 24, 2017, after a brief illness. He was a resident of both Bland, VA and Shacklefords, VA. RB was born December 6, 1947, and was preceded in death by his parents, Robert B. Anderson and Margaret Funk Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Beavers Anderson of Bland and Shacklefords, VA; two sons and daughters-in-law, Rath and Michelle of Bland, VA, and Dane and Mandy of Montpelier, VA; five beautiful granddaughters, Virginia (Ginny), Aeryie Grey, Rill, Juliet and Isadora; a brother, Chuck Anderson of Virginia Beach; a sister, Peg Monahan of Williamsburg; and also a very special niece, Melanie Batholomay, and her children, Veronica, Heidi and Rex, of Knoxville, TN. RB enlisted in the US Army in June, 1967 and volunteered to serve two tours in Vietnam, the first as an E-5 Squad Leader in Charlie Company C-75 Rangers; the second as the door gunner on extraction missions. He returned to graduate from Marshall University to be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He received a M.Ed. From Virginia Tech, and served as an ROTC instructor and led the Ranger program there. He was Airborne (Jump Master), Ranger and Special Forces; serving throughout the Middle-East and Asia, including Operation Desert Storm. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991. After military retirement, RB’s second career was in education. He taught JROTC at Hopewell and Carroll County High Schools, was a counselor at Wilderness Leadership Academy, and also served as principal of The Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands. RB’s third career was a calling to be a prison chaplain, serving first at River North Correctional Center in Grayson County; and then Bland Correctional Center, near his home. Throughout all of his various careers, RB was also a passionate farmer, who always believed in sustainable agriculture. He passed with grace and the assurance that his faith sustained him. A light to many, he “Leads the Way”. Graveside rites will be held 11 a.m., Friday, April 28th at Shackelford’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Shackelfords Chapel, 3727 Buena Vista Road, Shacklefords, VA 23156 following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation payable to the “USO”, USO Department WS, P.O. Box 96860 Washington, DC 20090-6860.

Robert Bradford "RB" Anderson Jr.

December 6, 1947 - April 24, 2017