Richard K. Anderson

Richard (Ric) Anderson passed away December 11, 2024 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Ric’s memorial service will be held January 11, 2025, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am. A Celebration of Life to follow in the church Fellowship Hall.  Memorials may be made to the Lake Harriet Adaptive Sailing Program, Mankato Echo Food Shelf and My Place Mankato Youth Place.

 Richard Karl Anderson was born October 14, 1951, in Ladysmith, WI to loving Howard M. & Kathryn J. Anderson, the second of three boys. The family moved several times following their father’s career, eventually spending his “wonder bread years” in suburban St. Paul, MN. The family moved to Mankato for his high school senior year, graduating from Mankato High School in 1970.

 He attended Minnesota State College for two years leaving college to seek a full-time job in the construction field in order to follow his heart’s desire, to learn how to build his own home. He fulfilled that desire by designing and building his own home, where he lived for over 36 years until his passing. He worked in various capacities in the construction industry, eventually being offered his dream job as the senior construction manager for a regional non-profit affordable housing developer. He oversaw all aspects of numerous large developments including Sibley Park Apartments in Mankato and Park Row Crossing in St. Peter.

 In 1996 he was introduced to the true love of his life, his future wife, Janet (Brinkman Hubbard). She totally captured his heart from the beginning and he knew she was the one and only for him. From that point on they were inseparable, sharing a deep and meaningful life together. Travel and adventure, as well as quiet time together at home, were the hallmarks of their relationship. Just being together was pure contentment. Ric and Janet were married in 2013 after one of the longest engagements on record. Fittingly they wed on a magical evening on a yacht on Lake Minnetonka with family members and close friends. With this union, Ric became a loving husband, dad and grandpa. Ric and Janet enjoyed family time, particularly with their two children, their spouses, grandchildren and extended family.

 Ric loved being outdoors, especially in the wild where he felt closest to God. During his college summers he worked as a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters for the Lutheran Church of America’ camp system traversing all over the BWCA. He planned and equipped a 3-month backpacking trip that covered over 300 miles of the Continental Divide Trail in the Canadian Rockies with a friend.

 Eventually he moved on to his real outdoor passion, sailing. Over the years he sailed, owned and partnered in numerous sailboats locally, on Lake Superior, the Caribbean island chain and the North Atlantic. In 2001 he had logged enough sea time and knowledge to qualify and test to become a US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Master Captain with a 50-ton rating. He introduced many, many friends to the thrill and joy of sailing and taught advanced sailing classes on Lake Superior through the American Sailing Association. Along with his wife they volunteered in many roles for years to the Lake Harriet Adaptive Sailing Program in the Twin Cities. A program designed to provide sailing opportunities for people with limited abilities. They, also, enjoyed sailboat racing on Lake Minnetonka.

 Ric is survived by his loving wife, Janet. Son Aaron Hubbard (Tina Schlumpberger), grandchildren Mykel and Emma Hubbard of North Mankato, and daughter, Stacey Rupert, grandchildren Riley and Ace Rupert of Rosemount. Brothers Stephen (Jeanne) of Ft.Myers, FL, and Kurt (Jeanne) of Madison Lake, MN. Father-in-law Merle Brinkman, North Mankato, brother-in-laws, Barry of St. Peter, Steve (Christine) of Eden Prairie, and sister-in-law Ann Freier of Lake Crystal and Gwen Plaster of Maplewood, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

 Ric was preceded in death by his father and mother Howard and Kay Anderson, mother-in-law Lathea Brinkman, son-in-law Jack Rupert, and nephew Christopher Hultgren.

Ric will be remembered for his kindness, willingness to help those in need, his courageousness, and most of all, his quick wit. He kept everyone laughing.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support, cards and loving messages. A special thank you to the Mayo Hospice team and the home health providers, Eva Adamson, Rhonda Johnson and Diane Smith for the care they provided through Ric’s journey.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.