Theodore “Ted”‘s Obituary Theodore Harold Anderson departed for heaven on February 22nd, 2019. He repeatedly assured his family that he was certain of heaven because of his full trust in Jesus Christ his Savior. He joins his first wife Darlene, his mother Marion and his grandparents, all who preceded him with similar confidence.
Ted was born and spent his early years in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a son of missionaries. His grandfathers, his father Lloyd and his Uncle Erl were all builders and shaped Ted’s love for and abilities in construction. He always had ‘projects’ going whether in his home, or helping friends, or renovating his church.
His compassionate heart and generosity led him to help anytime, anyway he could, often with little regard for how much it may cost him. Ted was tenacious, responsive, and responsible. When suddenly America was without Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) in 1981, Ted responded to the call, and was the first graduate of the Oklahoma City ATC training school to be assigned directly to O’Hare airport, one of the busiest in the world!
Ted served the flying public with 30 years of faithful, tireless excellence in one of the most demanding, high stress jobs in America. Many of those years, ATC’s were in short supply requiring those able to handle the pressure to work 6-day weeks in order to meet the demands of high capacity O’Hare. Ted was designed by God to have a family of active, vivacious, high-energy, competitive kids!
Darlene was designed by God to have a house full of children and their friends… all the time! Big front yard volley-ball court / soccer field, ‘the fort’ in the woods, pool in the back yard with a basketball hoop, a ski boat for Diamond Lake, school sports, church youth groups, mission trips, house boat family vacations in Tennessee. .
. non-stop activity and always an open door for friends! Ted kept the Anderson home expanding and functional, as it created memories for hundreds of people who’ve been blessed to be welcomed there.
Ted inherited his soft, tender, sensitive, musical side from his mother and grandparents Harold & Lydia Salveson, a Norwegian immigrant family. Tears would roll down Grandpa Harold’s cheeks as he sang and strummed his mandolin, which has been Ted’s for many years. Marion, Ted’s mother, played piano and organ remarkably, both by sight and by ear.
If you were among the fortunate few to hear Ted play either instrument in his reflective, quiet moments, you’ll agree he was gifted; it was a special treat! Ted loved a challenge and after retirement from ATC, followed by months of daily, loving care for his first wife Darlene until her death from cancer, Ted took a one year Surgical Assistant training course. More than twice the age of every other student, Ted was Valedictorian of the class!
On a mission trip to Haiti shortly after graduation, the Haitian surgeon needed Ted’s help assisting on several cases! When not in the surgical suite, Ted was fixing mission vehicles, plumbing, roofing and a mountain of other ‘projects’. Celebration service of Ted’s life will be on Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at Heritage Church, 255 N. Quentin Rd.
, Lake Zurich, IL. 60047. In lieu of flowers Ted has requested that donations be made to a cause that is near and dear to his heart.
His son Cory and family are in the process of moving to Haiti in order to bring clean water and the love of Jesus to people of Northwest Haiti. If you feel led to, please donate to their account #40270 at: www.
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