Roderick B. Anderson, 90, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at his home in Princeton.
He was born in Hammer, South Dakota and raised in Sisseton, South Dakota. Roderick’s parents taught him the values of hard work, ambition, and tenacity, values which Roderick imparted upon his family. Roderick was determined to be the first in his family to attend college and began working odd jobs in the 4th grade to save money. Throughout high school, he worked in construction, poultry processing, house painting, and others. He continued working while attending South Dakota State University, including as a construction worker for the state Highway Department and as the teacher at a one-room elementary schoolhouse. Rod was also able to make money by playing in jazz and swing bands, which Rod recalled as more of a pleasure than a job, as music was Rod’s true passion and was an endeavor he pursued with great joy and discipline until his final day. Roderick received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering.
Upon graduation, he immediately moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the United States Patent and Trademark Office before accepting a position at the prestigious AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ. Bell Labs sponsored Rod’s law school education at Seton Hall University. For thirty-eight years, Rod was a Patent Attorney for AT&T. He started his career prosecuting patents for the wide range of inventions at Bell Labs, and later broadened his experience litigating patent disputes and handling international patents for AT&T. He was at the forefront of the solid-state semi-conductor electronics revolution and the expansion of telecommunications technology, including the voice over internet protocol.
Roderick was an active member of each community he called home throughout his life. He visited his hometown as often as he could and remained connected to many of his schoolmates despite settling on the East Coast. While raising his family in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Roderick became involved in local politics, becoming the first Democratic mayor to be elected in the township and serving his community for about 7 years. Since moving to Princeton, Roderick was a patron of the McCarter Theatre Center, and, with his many bands, he performed around the area including at nursing homes.
Roderick is survived by his three daughters, Elizabeth Anderson, Katherine Anderson, Carolyn A. Greene (and son-in-law Gary A. Greene); a son, Terence Lindgren (and daughter- in-law Margie Lindgren); and six grandchildren, Alexandra Miklebost, Emily Choi-Greene (and her husband Joseph Choi-Greene), Alison Greene, Amelia Lindgren, Niels Lindgren (and his wife Emily Morris), and Anders Lindgren.
Predeceased by his parents Ralph Alexander and Mildred Elizabeth (Knight) Anderson, and by his long-time partner Florence Stewart of Hamilton Township, Roderick was loved by many, most especially his family, the folks in his hometown of Sisseton, South Dakota, his fellow tennis players and his fellow band members and musicians. He will be remembered for his hardy laugh, jovial attitude, unyielding support of his family, perseverance in spirit, and the inspirational discipline and diligent approach that he took to all of his endeavors.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30AM on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Roderick to South Dakota State University (Highest Priorities Fund, The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band Fund, or Electrical Engineering Fund) at www.sdstatefoundation.org or SDSU Foundation, 815 Medary Ave., PO Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007 or to McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J.