This world lost a good man when Eric Lyle Anderson departed this life unexpectedly on Sunday, April 16. His family looks forward to seeing him in Heaven and the New Earth.
Eric was honest, kind, gentle and loving. He showed compassion to others and shared his faith and gift of hospitality by befriending the poor and homeless wherever he went and found the need.
Eric is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth Ernst Anderson; his four children and their spouses, Benjamin Eric Anderson (Cari Malone Anderson), David Joseph Anderson, Laura Anderson Ruhl (Kyle Eugene Ruhl), and Rebecca Anderson Venter (Daniel John Venter); his mother, Virginia Rohde Anderson; and his three brothers, Douglas Gary Anderson, Russell David Anderson, and Curtis Bruce Anderson. He was preceded in death by his father, Russell Douglas Anderson, who died on April 27, 2016, at age 98.
Eric was a godly father and role model who loved his children and spent many years homeschooling them as he shared his faith and Biblical world view. He also cherished his two granddaughters Eleanor Elizabeth Anderson and Abigail Jane Ruhl.
After studying biology and ornithology at Cook College/Rutgers University, graduating in 1983, Eric discovered his artistic gifts and became a self-taught sign maker. He founded Anderson Signs in 1990 after the birth of his twins, Benjamin and David, and managed to care for and homeschool his children all while building his sign company. His original signs in many localities still look almost new. Eric took pride in his work and always gave his customers the best possible product. Benjamin joined his father in the business in 2022.
Eric loved to ride his recumbent bike, and the faster he rode, the better! He also enjoyed tandem recumbent bike trips of 800-1,100 miles with his loving wife Beth. Eric had a tremendous sense of adventure, which was evident in his snowboarding black diamonds and zooming around on electric scooters and skateboards. He was an avid birdwatcher, and passed that hobby to his daughter, Laura, and son-in-law, Kyle. Further, Eric shared his sense of humor with all around him, always quick to laugh or crack a joke. But, most of all, Eric loved God’s word, the Bible, which he read cover-to-cover many times. He continually worked to memorize Scripture.
Eric’s life centered around caring for his family and serving the Lord; that is how we will remember him.
There will be a private burial in Wildwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be published at a later date. The family will provide flowers and suggests memorial contributions in Eric’s name be made to Susquehanna Health Foundation, c/o Family Medicine Residency Program, 1001 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Kaufman Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Online condolences may be made on Eric’s memorial page at kaufmanfuneralhomes.com
