ROCKINGHAM — David was born in Edmore, Michigan, on March 10th, 1933. The son of Nels Saline Andersen and Grace Church Andersen, he lived in Lansing, Michigan, with his parents and younger sister Saundra, graduating from Sexton High School in 1952.
Inspired by summers spent on the farm of his maternal aunt and uncle, Kay Church Hillis and Laverne Hillis in the countryside near Staunton, Michigan, David developed a love of nature and the outdoors and studied forestry at Michigan State University. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1956, he served honorably in the U.S. Army for two years in Germany receiving the good conduct medal and expert carbine commendation. Shortly after being discharged in 1958, he returned home to marry college sweetheart Margaret Ann “Peggy” Rankin, in Central Methodist Church, Lansing, Michigan.
David and Peggy left Michigan in 1958 when David accepted a position as a forester with Riegel Paper Company headquartered in Bolton, North Carolina. David and Peggy lived briefly in Wilmington before moving to Lake Waccamaw where their first child, Bretton Wayne, was born in 1961. In 1963, David accepted a promotion as area manager in Rockingham. Their first daughter, Kimberly Marie, was born in 1963, and their second daughter, Krista Margaret, was born in 1972.
David made his career with Riegel and saw the company through two corporate mergers, first with Federal Paper Board in 1971 and later with International Paper. As a member of the N.C. Forestry Association, he served as chairman of the Membership Committee 1993-94. He also worked with the National Tree Farm Program promoting sustainable natural resource management.
He became involved with the Boy Scouts of America when son Brett joined the Scouts in the 1970s. David was a member of the Order of the Arrow, honored with the Silver Beaver, and led a group of Rockingham Scouts on an epic adventure to Camp Philmont, New Mexico.
David was active in the First United Methodist Church as a faithful member, supporter, and usher. Dave was an avid outdoorsman, hunting dove, quail, deer and duck. Collecting antique duck decoys became an ongoing hobby, along with golf.
David retired in 1995. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Peggy, playing more golf, and going to NCSU football games. He became an N.C. State University Wolfpack fan and supporter, but never tired of traveling to visit his home state of Michigan and pulling for alma mater, Michigan State.
A service to celebrate David’s life will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at First United Methodist Church in Rockingham with the Rev. Allen Bingham officiating and military honors to follow.The family will have a time to see friends after the service at the church.
He is survived by his wife Margaret Ann Rankin Andersen of the home; sister Saundra Andersen Pirnie (David Pirnie) of Hemet, California; son Bretton Wayne Andersen (Gay Elliott Andersen) of Charlotte, and granddaughter Lauren Margaret Andersen of Blowing Rock; daughter Kimberly Marie Andersen of Raleigh; daughter Krista Margaret Andersen Edwards of Ellerbe, and granddaughter Emma Victoria Edwards of Rockingham.
Memorials can be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., 1 Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 or www.ducks.org; and First United Methodist Church, PO Box 637, Rockingham, NC 28380.
Watson–King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Andersen family.
Please visit www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com to submit a condolence online.
