Melvin 'Andy' Anderson

Melvin "Andy" Anderson, 87, of Springdale, Ark., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Springdale, Ark. Andy was born on Aug. 11, 1925, in Pine Bluffs, Wyo., a son of Reuben V. and Ruth L. Anderson. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Andy married Phyllis Wilkinson on June 9, 1950, in Nowata, Okla. He was a professor of electrical engineering for 30 years and then worked in aerospace for 12 years at Martin Marietta in Denver. He was a senior member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a member of the Springdale chapter of Gideons International. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Anderson; two sons, Rodney E. Anderson of Springdale, Ark., and Rick K. Anderson and wife, Kathy of Montreal, Canada; one daughter, Becky A. Richardson of Irving, Texas; two grandchildren, Jessica Hagen and Jeremy Ray; two brothers, Don V. Anderson and Rodney V. Anderson; and one sister, Ils Marie McIlvain. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at the Fellowship Bible Church with Pastor John Glaser officiating. Burial will be held at the Fayetteville National Cemetery that day at 2 p.m. Memorials can be made in his name to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 8181, Springdale, AR 72766. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign an online guest book.