Reverend R. W. Pat Anderson
Brookfield – Rev. R. W. Pat Anderson went home to the Lord on August 31, 2023 at the age of 86 years. Rev. Anderson was born in Liberty Pole, Vernon County, Wisconsin on March 17, 1937, the only child of Raymond O. Anderson and Bernadine Alexander. He grew up in Waukesha but spent his childhood summers on the family farm in Liberty Pole. He was a graduate of Waukesha High School (1955), Waukesha, Wisconsin, Carthage College, Carthage, Illinois (1959), Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1962) and Marquette University (1972) Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ordained in 1962, he served as Pastor at English Lutheran Church, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Martin Luther Church, and the Church of the Reformation, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bayshore Lutheran Church, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Illinois.
Rev. Anderson is survived by his dear wife of 64 years, LeNay McGue Anderson, his sons Patrick N. Anderson (Kimberly) of Alexandria, Virginia and Timothy J. Anderson (Christine) of New Berlin, Wisconsin; grandchildren Sydney E. Anderson, Madeline M. Anderson; step-grandchildren Derrick K. Amrhein (Samantha), Jacob R. Amrhein, Madison C. Fiedler, Nicholas F. Fiedler and Morgan O. Fiedler and step-great grandchildren Colby G. Amrhein and Lennon W. Amrhein.
During his 32-year ministry Rev. Anderson was a tireless advocate for the voiceless and marginalized and he fought for social and economic justice. During the 1960’s he marched for civil rights with Father Groppi and courageously and publicly denounced the Vietnam War as unjust and immoral. He also counseled several draft eligible congregants at Martin Luther Church as Conscientious Objectors.
During his ministry at Reformation, Rev. Anderson was instrumental in the work of Cornerstone and the Nextdoor Foundation. Both of these organizations have served thousands of at-risk youth in Milwaukee, and he was very proud of their accomplishments. Rev. Anderson was also outspoken for the acceptance of LGBTQ clergy in the LCA/ELCA at a time when it was unpopular.
Rev. Anderson was a voracious reader of horror fiction, mystery, and Civil War history. He loved collecting antique advertising, tobacco tins, Christmas past and FDR memorabilia. He passed on his love of reading and collecting to his sons which created many happy memories for the three of them. Our father was a towering role model, a deep thinker, and a person of immense faith, and he will be missed by his family and the many people he served during his ministry.
Although endings are always difficult, and there is no simple way to say farewell to those who have been part of our lives in meaningful ways, please join us for a memorial gathering and celebration of Rev. Anderson’s life and ministry at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Ave., New Berlin, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10:00AM to 11:45AM. The funeral service will be at noon. May God bless and keep Rev. Anderson as he enters the Kingdom. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Nextdoor Foundation at 2545 N. 29th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210.