Richard J. Andersen

RICHARD J. (DICK) ANDERSEN, SR., 77, Rockford, died of cancer at 6:13 p.m., Friday, September 14, 2007 in his home with his family members present. Born January 4, 1930 in Chicago, son of Richard J. and Loretta Ritter Andersen. Graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts with a degree in advertising design and did post graduate study at Northerwestern University School of Marketing. Richard married his high school sweetheart, Andrea Beaulieu, in Chicago on May 12, 1951 and began a career of more than 40 years managing the worldwide advertising programs for major U.S. companies. These include the Chicago headquarters of Fairbands, Morse and Company and Foote Brothers Gear and Machine Corporation. They moved to Rockford in 1962 where he managed the marketing communications activities for the Ingersoll Milling Machine Company. He retired in 1992. He was a past member of the National Association of Industrial Advertisers. Richard and Andrea celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May, 2001. His worldwide business travels from Moscow to Beijng were especially enjoyable when his loving wife, Andrea accompanied him. Their travels included Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo Brazil, Paris, Mexico and most major U.S. cities. For more than 50 years, Richard competed in a variety of sports at high levels. He began in high school as a multiple sports varsity letter winner, ending as a tournament level tennis player in northern Illinois, Chicago and southern Wisconsin. His high points were playing in the City of Chicago Mens baseball semi-finals, Rockford R.I.A.A. basketball league competition and winning four Rockford City Tennis Championships. He enjoyed sport fishing throughout Canada and the U.S. and was a Chicago Bears season ticket holder since 1949. He was a past member of the United States Tennis Association, Clock Tower, Victory and Boylan tennis clubs. After retirement, Richard studied fine arts and painting and won awards for his watercolor art, including ""Best of Show"" honors. He was honored that more than 100 of his paintings are owned and displayed by families and businesses throughout the Rockford area. He was a supporting member of the Rockford Art Museum, the Art Guild of Rockford, Tamaroa Watercolor Society and the Studio Artists of Rockford. Predeceased by his wife Andrea on October 31, 2001, his parents and his sister, Carol. Survived by his son, Richard J. (Kathy Tulley) Andersen, Jr.; daughters, Norene (James) Christiansen and Jeanne Andersen-Alonzo all of Rockford; grandchildren, David (Courtney) Andersen, Los Angeles, CA, Eric (fiance Julie McCarren) Christiansen, Sara Christiansen and Joseph and Dominick Alonzo, Rockford; great granddaughter, Audrey Christiansen, Rockford; step-grandson, Mitchell Kaufman, Seattle, WA and his brother, Norman (Joan) Andersen, Park Ridge. Richards family would like to thank Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center for the wonderful care given to him. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation from 4:00 p.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S. Main St. Rockford, Il. 61102 or Northern Illinois Hospice & Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Rd. Rockford, IL. 61108. Express condolences on line at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.