Contributions to the tribute of Herbert Anderson

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..Sue Froid planted 5 trees in memory of Herbert Anderson

Thursday, July 8, 2021

5 trees were planted in memory of
Herbert Anderson

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on your loss of Herb, a wonderful man who was loved by everyone. My love and prayers are with you. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Rick and Kim Carr uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, August 14, 2021

It’s always difficult to say goodbye to someone who has been a constant inspiration to you during your business career. But when that person is your first and oldest client, a mentor and a trusted friend, the task becomes especially difficult. It’s even more heartbreaking when you also have to say goodbye to the very person who introduced you. She was also a very dear friend and the soulmate of my mentor. In the late 1980s, I was doing my best to build a video production business. At that time, new clients were hard to find. One particular summer morning, I found the only thing on my schedule was a few hours of editing a product launch video and an appointment with a lady who wanted an old film edited and transferred to video. It was a day that would change my life. I remember the moment I answered the doorbell. Before me was an elegantly dressed, perfectly-coiffed, soft-spoken woman. She looked like someone who would be much more comfortable in a New York or LA studio, rather than my little, shared office space. Elizabeth Anderson, ran the marketing department for Roll-a-way Shutters and Prime Window. In a leather attache’, she carried an old, 16mm IBM training film. Elizabeth sought a unique way to use parts of this film to inspire Roll-a-way’s sales people. After studying the film, we met again and I pitched a creative program that had a bigger budget than either of us expected. At that point, I had one or two clients, no demo reel and no reason for her to put trust in me. But she did. She discussed my ideas with the “owner of the company” who sent word back to me that he wanted to set up a meeting. A week later, I met Herb Anderson for the first time. His outsized personality, huge, warm smile and grasp of my arm during our first handshake gave me hope that the meeting might go well. But, Herb was no pushover and he tired several times to trip me up during our meeting. Within 30 minutes I was creatively exhausted. I thought I’d lost the only chance I’d have to secure Roll-a-way as a new client. Herb said he was running out of time when he stood up, shook my hand and told me to get together with Elizabeth to set up a schedule for editing. That first program eventually lead to a multitude of commercials, product videos (with shoots all over the country), stacks of photographs, reams of ad copy, bundles of brochures and even wacky, promotional props I created for Rollaway during a nearly three-decade relationship. To Elizabeth’s credit, I thought it was purely a coincidence that she and Herb shared surnames. They were consummate, professional workplace partners. It was probably months before I discovered they were married. After a few years of working together, Herb invited my wife, Kim, and I over to their home for dinner. We discovered we both loved boating. Herb owned a faded, twin-engined, Chris Craft center console that hung on davits in his back yard. He had no time to use the boat and it had fallen into disrepair. I mentioned that I was a decent mechanic and that I could get it running again for him, if he wouldn’t mind me borrowing the boat once in a while. A week later, Herb called and shocked me because he kept referring to the Chris Craft as “your boat.” I explained that my wife and I we were building a business, hoping to start a family and buying a home. I had no extra money for toys. So he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Herb said we’d trade the boat for a commercial or two down the road. I really didn’t have much of a choice but to say yes. Not long after, Herb delighted in the fact that I’d made his boat look and run like new. I’d even kept the name he had painted across the side of the vessel, “Joie de vie.” This French phrase translates to “Joy of Life,” and it also perfectly describes Herb and Elizabeth’s brilliant time together on this planet. From our perspective, they found so much joy in each other. We saw this demonstrated in the way they delighted in describing their worldwide travels, and also in the loving way they spoke of their family and the progress and achievements in children’s lives. They also genuinely delighted in the many successes of their friends and their employees - which I believe they also considered an extended family. We enjoyed many wonderful, long lunches and dinners with the Andersons and spent hours looking at photos of their trips and kids. Nearly eight years after we first met Elizabeth and Herb, our oldest son was born 80 days premature. It was an especially stressful time for us. These dear friends were one of the first to show their compassion, love and support for us. When Ricky was a baby, Herb joyfully kidded that we should name him “Little Herbie” in his honor. He also loved that my wife and I truly enjoyed his wonderfully-designed Roll-a-way shutters on our home. Kim was such a fan that I interviewed her on camera and edited her footage into a Roll-a-way customer testimonial program. Herb loved the clip and jokingly said that “no one could love anything that much, she must be lying.” For years on, he referred to Kim as “The Great Liar.” He’s the only person who could get away with that - and that’s because I knew he really meant it as a compliment that described Kim’s loyalty and enjoyment of his company’s shutters. When our youngest came to live with us at age five, Herb and Elizabeth immediately made Noah part of their extended family. They never neglected to ask about his progress in school and with sports. Our last get-together with these dear friends was a several months ago. Kim and I were fully vaccinated and the CDC guidance indicated a socially-distant visit outside would be safe. Turns out it was. Herb felt we had postponed our wonderful lunches and dinners long enough (because of Covid) and we were all looking forward to finally getting some face time. He called me several times that day to confirm that we were still coming. We met in Pioneer Park, just across from their condo. When we arrived, we quickly set up four, comfortable, socially-distant folding chairs and a small folding table with plastic wine glasses and decorative napkins. As we were finishing the set up, we noticed the Andersons walking across the street toward us. Herb gently helping his beloved Elizabeth navigate the curbs and cars to our private, little dinner table just off the sidewalk. They seemed so happy to get out of the house and to share a few a small meal with old friends. There were so many smiles between us — it was like we hadn’t seen them for decades. Herb delighted in the bottle of wine we brought, as well as the little plastic wine glasses and munchies Kim assembled. And being the consulate gentleman he was, Herb presented Kim with a single pink rose. Something he had done before at dinners we shared. We, of course, recognized that Elizabeth wasn’t feeling well, but she put on a brave face and shared a toast and few sips of wine with us. We spoke of highlights and a few low points of the past year, talked about old friends and our planned travels. In a brief moment of melancholy, the first I’d ever seen in Herb, he said the virus had kept him from his greatest joys, being with family, traveling, playing a little golf and sharing laughs with his many lunchtime and breakfast buddies. He acknowledged that age and the virus were finally slowing him down a bit, but he was hopeful things could improve soon. Herb was always hopeful. When we finished up, we dawned our masks and shared a brief hug. We then watched as Herb grasped Elizabeth’s hand and gently helped her back, across the street, to the building where they had lived so long. We wished there could have been many more of these visits with our dear companions - we planned them, but somehow, life got in the way. If only there had been just one more corny joke from Herb, just one more sweet smile from Elizabeth, but it wasn’t to be. But, for over three decades, we did enjoy their fast friendship, their loyalty, their companionship and love. It’s so hard to say goodbye to dear friends, but a comfort to know they’ll always be together. Rick and Kim Carr

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Phil Graham, Jr. posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Herb was a wonderful and generous man who always had a kind smile and a friendly comment delivered in his gentlemanly way. He did much for so many and will be greatly missed. His reward will be great. Phil & Stephanie Graham, Jr.

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Charlie Smallwood lit a candle

Monday, July 5, 2021

My mom passed away in 2015 and during the celebration of life I happen to see an older gentleman with his familiar white hair and mustache walk through the door. I knew immediately it was Herb Anderson even though we hadn't seen him in nearly fourth years. To us he was Herb or for me as a young man growing up it was Mr. Anderson. You see while I grew up with my five older brother's in the Cincinnati area my dad was employed with what was known as Nu-Prime Windows. My dad worked for Mr. Anderson as a salesman. My dad raised a family of six boys during those late sixties and early seventies. Then Mr. Anderson took his plies to Florida and a few other southern states. He finally settled in the St. Petersburg area. I'm not sure exactly how the conversation went with my dad but I do remember him telling me that Herb would make trips to the Bahamas and noticed these security shutters attached to windows for hurricane and high wind protection. My dad told me Herb had the insight to bring that product to Florida. You no the rest of the story. Roll-away Security Shutters. Mr Anderson always treated his employees very fair and had many incentives for his employees. Bonuses, and cruises to name a few. Mr. Anderson also liked having a yearly picnic for all family employees. It was always fun at those picnics. One other thing I would like to mention is when Mr. Anderson came to my mom's celebration of life we had a montage of pictures of mom's life and as he walked up to look he noticed a picture of my parents sitting around a table with other employees and a priest. The picture was from Nassau. Those cruises I mentioned that he paid for was one of those incentives I mentioned earlier. It brought a smile to his face and he said he remembered that picture because the priest that was sitting at the table was Father Urbane. The irony to that was Father Urbane was our families priest at our local church and my parent's accidentally bumped into him in Nassau. Herb insisted that Father Urbane join them for dinner. Just seems to me he was meant to be there and see that picture. I will remember Mr. Anderson as a kind and caring man who helped employ many Dad's and mom's as they were raising families. In closing, I would like to send my sincerest condolences and prayers to the Anderson Family. May you rest in peace (Herb) Mr. Anderson and God's speed. Charlie Smallwood and family

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Gina Apruzzese lit a candle

Monday, July 5, 2021

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Caroline York Mortell lit a candle

Monday, July 5, 2021

We first met Herbert in 1992 when he welcomed us to St Petersburg at a grand party in Bayfront Tower. Over the many years his true friendship and calm demeanor was a gift. His guidance helped my husband manage the fear associated with an illness and often Bob would reach out to this most gentle and caring man. Herbert was a gentleman. He was one of the few people my husband looked up to. And now, as Herb joins my husband In heaven I’m sure they will once again discuss basketball but this time without interruption. My prayers with heartfelt sincerity are sent to Elizabeth and the family. Caroline York Mortell

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Adam Weaver lit a candle

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Mr. Anderson was one of a kind. The number of people whose lives were made better because of him is astounding. May he Rest in Peace.

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The family of Herbert Anderson uploaded a photo

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Herbert Anderson

1928 - 2021

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