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By Dian Ver Valen
The Times 

Memorial Honors Son, Dayton Grad

 

Dian Ver Valen

This bike rack/hitching post installed on the grounds of the Smith Hollow Schoolhouse on N. Front Street in Dayton honors 1991 DHS grad Robert Anderson.

DAYTON – When their son, 41-year-old Dayton High School graduate Robert "Rob" Anderson, died unexpectedly on July 31, 2013, Carol and Andy Anderson wanted to find some way to honor his memory permanently in his own hometown.

Those who drive by or visit the Smith Hollow Schoolhouse, on N. Front Street, can now see this memorial – a combination bike rack and hitching post installed on the historic school's grounds.

"We didn't want to do some big elaborate thing, but we thought this would work well," Carol Anderson said. Rob Anderson was very athletic. "He rode his bike a lot, especially in college, and he was an avid skier and snowboarder. He almost grew up at Ski Bluewood."

At 15, he became passionate about wind surfing and traveled not only to the Snake River but also Hood River, on the Columbia, to pursue his favorite activity.

The hitching post, constructed around the metal bike rack, created not only a look that worked with the historic school but also a place to mount the three plaques honoring not only Rob but also the friends, family and generous supporters who made the memorial possible.

The Andersons hope to also install a bench and a tree near the bike rack/hitching post in the near future; they are awaiting approval from the Blue Mountain Historical Society, which owns the Smith Hollow Schoolhouse.

Rob Anderson graduated from DHS in 1991 and went to college at Gonzaga, in Spokane. After college he moved to San Francisco and got involved in theater and film, attending graduate school and specializing in theater lighting and videographics.

"He met a lot of famous people and had a lot of exciting stories," Carol Anderson said. "He was in good health. We never expected this. After his death, we received letters from many people we didn't know."

His plaque ends with the words: "The wind changed directions, the stage lights dimmed, and he was gone too soon. His story unfinished."

"He was writing a film script before he died," Carol Anderson said. "And so, of course, he didn't get to finish it."

In addition to the supporters mentioned on the memorial plaques, Carol wanted to thank Sue and Don Rittenhouse, Ron Ashley, Steve Radebaugh, Larry Fairchild and Bill Clarys among others who helped with construction and installation.

"I just want to give a big thank you to everybody who put it together," she said. "The love that came through as they were helping with this project really helped us out."

Rob Anderson is buried in the Dayton Cemetery. The Andersons have two surviving sons: Brad Anderson and his family, who recently moved to Walla Walla, and Ken Anderson, M.D., in Lewiston.

 

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