A graveside service for Roger “Andy” Anderson, 71, will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 6, 2024 at the Cheyenne National Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming with military honors. Following the ceremony there will be a celebration of life at The Office restaurant at 1600 East Pershing Blvd. Andy passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Andy was born on October 7, 1952 on the family farm in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin the son of Dean and Katie (Ochse) Anderson. He was greeted by two siblings, Archie and Kathie. He grew up on the family dairy farm. Andy graduated high school from Chisago Lakes High school in 1970. After high school Andy enlisted in the United States Air Force. When he finished his basic training, he went directly to Vietnam and was on tour for thirteen months. While serving his country during the war he was a mortar gunner within his platoon.
After returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Warren Air Force Base and continued to serve his country on active duty from 1970 to 1980. Andy attended Laramie County Community College (LCCC) using the GI bill to further his education. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Andy went to work for the VA and worked there for a year and half. He enlisted in the Air National Guard to continue his service.
Andy started a second career working for the Cheyenne Fire Department for about ten years. During that time he developed a group of friends that would last a lifetime.
Andy remained a member of the Air National Guard and he was called to duty during Desert Storm. He deployed as a medical specialist to Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 1991. He retired from service in 1992. After returning from Desert Storm, Andy met Sharon and they were married January 3rd, 1994.
Andy started his own business, Brute Force, and operated it for several years in which he plowed snow, did dirt work, and used it as a great reason to own his own tractor.
In 2004, Andy and Sharon bought a cabin at Mountain Home. They integrated into the community and again Andy had another excuse to use his tractor. He took it upon himself to keep the Fire Department cleared of snow and the road into the cabins accessible to his neighbors. Andy loved the neighborhood and really enjoyed watching the local wildlife population, mostly the moose.
Andy loved experiencing the outdoors while driving his beloved Jeep. He also loved to play chess and he would challenge anyone to a game, even his eight-year-old grandson. He also loved to play cribbage, probably something he perfected while working at the fire department. He loved to play the guitar and was happy to break it out and play songs for the grandkids.
Andy is survived by his wife, Sharon of Cheyenne; children, Roger (Shawna) Anderson, Kristen (Eric) Jones, Ryan (Jocelyn) Anderson, Shonda (Daryl) James, Shelly (Jamie) Pepper, and Vicki (Eric) Woods and numerous grand and great-grand children. He is also survived by his sister Kathie (Mike) Mackin, one younger brother Dale (Julie) Anderson and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Dean and Katie Anderson and brother, Archie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to YOLA’s Pet Rescue at yolaspetrescue.org or the local VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement