Dr. Rees H. Anderson, age 81, died peacefully of natural causes at his Bountiful home, June 7, 1992, attended by his loving wife.
A son of Dr. John R. and Mary Camilla Sorensen Anderson. He was born in Salt Lake City on February 24, 1911 and lived much of his early life in Springville, Utah where his father practiced medicine. After graduating from BYU in 1932 he earned his MD degree at Northwestern Univeristy Medical School in 1935. He was married to Lois Gardner of Provo, Utah, December 31, 1937; marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, March 18, 1943.Except for four years during World War II, he practiced medicine in Salt Lake City for 45 years until his retirement. He was a member (and president in 1960) of the LDS Hospital medical staff. He has been a member of the Utah State and American Medical Associations, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the International College of Surgeons. For most of the years that he practiced, he was associated with the Union Pacific Railroad Employees' Association, attaining the status of Chief Surgeon. As a Naval Flight Surgeon from 1942-1946, he survived kamikaze attacks during the Okinawa campaign while with Naval Air Group Twelve aboard the USS Randolph. His unit received presidential citations for that and other actions. Before his release, as Lieutenant Commander, he served at what later became Cape Kennedy/Canaveral of space-age fame. Active in the LDS Church throughout his life, he has held many church callings. In 1977, he retired early from his medical practice to accept an LDS mission call.
He and Lois served 18 months in the Oakland Temple Visitors' Center. Since their release, he has served as a medical consultant to the LDS Church Missionary Department, which service was found to be very useful and fulfilling. He was a life-member of Sons of Utah Pioneers.
Rees has been in a position to help people and has taken advantage of the opportunity. A good husband and father, he has been generous with his children. Respected by his colleagues, he was loved by his patients.
Photography was his lifetime hobby. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children.
In addition to his wife, Lois, he is survived by seven children, John R. (Lynda) Anderson, Vernal; Susan A. (Ronald) Beckman, Boise, Idaho; Sally A. (Chris) Hallstrom, Keiser, Oregon; James R. (Lori) Anderson, Providence; Julie Anderson, Salt Lake City; Camille A. (Michael) Flanagan, Aurora, Oregon; and Alice A. (Michael) Lobdell, Carey, Idaho. One child, Margaret, died in infancy. There are 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; he is also survived by a brother, Jay J. (Maxine) Anderson, Sonora, Calif.; two sisters, Vesta A. Crandall, Centerville; and Beth A. (Bill) Elledge, Montebello, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Mary Alice (Don) Anderson, San Antonio, Texas.
Funeral services Saturday, June 13, 12 noon, Bountiful Third LDS Ward Chapel, 51 North Main Street, Bountiful. The family will receive visitors Friday evening (June 12th) 6-8 p.m., at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, and at the ward Saturday, 11-11:45 a.m.
Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
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