Calvin Anderson

February 23, 1925 - January 17, 2023

Calvin B. Anderson 2/23/1925 to 1/17/ 2023 Cal Anderson was passionate about the arts and his family. His love of life seemed boundless. He was a printmaker, graphic designer, teacher, set designer, art director, advertising executive and board member of leading Bay Area arts organizations. He was a loving family man, marrying Elizabeth (Betty) E. Anderson. They had three children: Eric R. Anderson (wife Anita), Sara Anderson (husband Patrick), Scot D. Anderson (partner Molly), two grand children Noah (wife Monica) and Natasha Anderson and two great grandsons, Sebastien and Oliver Anderson. Cal was preceded in death by his wife, a librarian, who passed away in 1981. Cal lived in Oakland and died of dementia at 97.

He was just 17 when he joined the army and fought in World War II. Cal’s artistic talents were identified early and he was assigned to the map making division of the US Army Corps of Engineers. In the Pacific, his outfit followed Gen. Douglas MacArthur as he island hopped in pursuit of the Japanese. A veteran, he protested the Vietnam War. Cal once was photographed at a demonstration wearing his business suit and American flag tie. He told his family that “members of business community are against the war too.”

During his professional career he worked as Art Director for Cunningham and Walsh, once one of America’s top ad agencies. In the West Coast office, he created print and television ads and was delighted to recruit acclaimed cartoonist Charles Schultz (“Peanuts”) into a partnership with The United Way.

For decades he made a significant contribution to the development and success of the San Francisco Ballet. He worked closely with Lew Christensen and Leon G. Kalimos to create posters, books, and advertisements. He loved designing the sets and costumes for several productions. Much of this work was done on a pro-bono basis. Cal also worked with Theatre Flamenco and served on its Board of Directors.

Cal’s early arts education included a scholarship to the California College of Arts and Crafts and after the war he studied at Art Center College in Los Angeles. He later taught at and became the founding chairman of the Design Department of the San Francisco Art Institute.

After retiring in the 1980s, Cal formed his own agency, Cal Anderson Design, to work mainly for non-profit arts institutions. In addition to his work for dance organizations, he also created materials for the L.J. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation and Humanities West. He designed books, theater productions and exhibitions. In retirement he took printmaking classes at Fort Mason Center and was prolific in making abstract monotypes, displaying his Modernist sensibilities and his knack for exploring Expressionist compositions. He traveled to Carrara, Italy and worked to create a large marble sculpture.

Above all, Cal’s love for his family and the happiness of fatherhood were only matched by his love of travel, gardening and cooking. Each year he planted hundreds of tulips, and frequently visited New York, Spain, France and Italy. The holidays were not complete without his annual “Buche de Noel,” festooned with traditional mushrooms. We will deeply miss his joy, love and care for each of us.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future. Please contact crewly265@ gmail.com for information. Our family extends it’s appreciation to the staff of Oakland’s Lakeside Park Memory Care. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - ALZ.org

Cal Anderson’s work can be viewed at The Lost Art Salon in San Francisco Thank you!