Anthony "Tony" Andersen

Andersen, Anthony (Tony) L. Of St. Paul, Minnesota, Succumbed to lung cancer on September 20, 2005 At the age of 69. He passed away peacefully at his St. Paul home with family present. Tony (as Mr. Andersen preferred to be known) was born in Minneapolis on December 10, 1935, to Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen, then of Southeast Minneapolis. While spending his childhood years in St. Anthony Park and attending Murray High School (class of 1953), he enjoyed and nurtured the many friendships that he formed while participating in high school choir, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, swimming, and ski racing and jumping. This tight group of childhood friends known collectively these days as "The Geezers," continue to cultivate and celebrate their lifelong bond on biennial canoe trips in Northern Minnesota. Tony never let down a friend. In 1957, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Macalester College. While at Macalester, Tony met his former wife, Alice Wallien, then of Montevideo, Minnesota. They were married in Montevideo at Our Saviours Lutheran Church on August 3, 1957. As a teenager, Tony had his first experience as an employee of the H. B. Fuller Company when he filled and labeled jars of school paste at the Eagle Street plant. After earning his B.S. degree, he began a new chapter with the company as a full-time salesman in Omaha, Nebraska in 1957. Tony became president of the company in 1971, served as Chief Executive Officer from 1974 to 1995, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1992- 1999. Under Tony's steady leadership, the H.B. Fuller Company grew beyond U. S. borders to become a world-class, widely respected industry leader. In 1984, Fuller was included in the book, "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America", a recognition which particularly pleased Tony. Fuller was named as a Fortune 500 company that same year. In 1988, "Corporate Report Minnesota" named Tony "Executive of the Year". In 1996 H. B. Fuller was recognized as one of "America's 100 Best Corporate Citizens" by "Business Ethics". Throughout his tenure at the helm of the company, Tony steadfastly promoted the pioneering philosophy originally implemented by his father, Elmer L. Andersen: serve customers, respect employees, build shareholder return, and support communities. In addition to his work at Fuller, Tony served as a trustee on numerous corporate boards including ECM Publishers, Minnesota Thunder, Apogee Enterprises, Cowles Media Company, and Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance. His board service extended to the nonprofit sector as well, including the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, the Center for Ethical Business Cultures, the James J. Hill Reference Library, the Minnesota Council on Foundations, Casa de Esperanza (advisory board), the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Macalester College, Voyager Outward Bound School, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, the Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation, and The Trillium Family Foundation (founder). Throughout his life and work at Fuller, Tony enjoyed the international travel that was required by the job. He was especially captivated by the friendly people, ecological beauty, and potential for cultural and economic exchange that he experienced in Costa Rica, which he considered a second home. In 1983, he was appointed as Honorary Consul General of Costa Rica in Minnesota by Costa Rican president Luis Alberto Monge. As founder of the Costa Rica-Minnesota Foundation (1991), Tony worked tirelessly with fellow board members to initiate humanitarian and cultural exchange opportunities, especially through the development of a Friendship City program, which connected Minnesota cities with Costa Rican cities. In 1991, Tony hosted former Costa Rican President and Nobel Laureate, Oscar Arias, during a visit to Minnesota. Many Minnesota companies and organizations experienced the benefits of these exchange efforts, including the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Tony loved being on the water in any way he could manage it, from sailing to motoring, fishing to skiing. This passion, combined with his flair for sales and marketing, led him to purchase Edey & Duff, Ltd., a small sailboat manufacturing company in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. After retiring from the Fuller Company, Andersen had more time to devote to Edey & Duff The boat company developed new products, including the "Conch 27" a state-of-the-art sport fishing boat, the "Fatty Knees" dinghy, and the "Sakonnet 23" a shoal draft daysailer. Tony's many other lifelong interests and passions included photography, skiing (including a year of coaching for the ski jumping team at the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York and many years as a promoter of the Jaycee U.S.S.A. National Junior Ski Program here in the Twin Cities which he helped to found), vintage car racing and collecting, SCUBA diving, canoe- camping and keeping up with two busy grandchildren. Though based in St. Paul after retirement, Tony enjoyed fly fishing in Colorado, tarpon fishing in Florida, vintage sports car racing in various locations across the United States. and touring the United Kingdom in his London taxi. Tony was preceded in death by his father, former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Andersen. He is survived by his mother Eleanor J. Andersen, brother Julian (Jamie) Andersen, sister Emily Andersen, daughter Amy (Tim Wilson) Andersen, grandchildren Shelby Katherine and Caleb James Wilson, and nephews Nathan Lee and Benjamin Lee Andersen; also by extended family in the United States, Norway, and Sweden; and by many cherished friends and colleagues. We will all remember his boundless energy, sincere generosity and warm spirit. A public memorial service will be held at the WEYERHAUSER CHAPEL on the campus of Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota on Sunday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. A dinner reception in the Alexander G. Hill Ballroom in Kagin Commons will follow the service. A family service and private interment will occur at Hillside Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Macalester College, The Center for Ethical Business Cultures, and the Costa Rica - Minnesota Foundation. Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels 612-781-1999

Anthony "Tony" Andersen

October 9, 2005

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