Brian Peter Anderson

GLADSTONE — Brian Peter Anderson, of Gladstone, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025, at his brother Tim’s home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was staying with his brother while his loving wife, Patti, received care at a rehabilitation center for a severe spinal injury.

Brian was born in Manistique, Michigan, on December 21, 1951. The first nine years of his life were spent with his family in the hamlet of Nahma, before moving to Gladstone where helived nearly his entire life.

As a two-year-old, Brian suffered a traumatic brain injury in a horrible Easter holiday automobile accident that claimed the life of his older brother, David. Through hopes and prayers, God intervened to spare Brian’s life, and, although he would be burdened with epilepsy as a result of his injuries, he never wavered in his determination to live a full and complete life. He serves as a reminder to all of us of what one person can overcome.

Brian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Northern Michigan University. He promptly joined the Peace Corps through the Vista program, where he introduced his Yooper cultural upbringing to residents of inner-city Chicago — where Brian was introduced to city by a mugging as he walked with his duffle from the “L” to his apartment on his first day of arrival.

Brian immersed himself into Chicago’s neighborhood urban culture, serving as a social services resource assigned to the Native American Business Association. He took great pride in his work. He was grateful for how the Native American community welcomed and embraced him. Following his work with Vista, he began a disability-shortened career with the State of Michigan Library system.

Brian had a big heart, full of compassion and generosity. He was outgoing, to say the least. His two great passions were playing golf and the Detroit Lions — and probably not in that order.

In Brian’s nomenclature, rarely, if ever, was his favorite team referenced as the “Detroit Lions.” To Brian, it was simply “da lions.” Anyone, any place, any time, any conversation would inevitably turn to Brian talking about his lions, especially when dissecting the previous week’s game with friends in the morning coffee-clutch group at McDonald’s.

Brian loved golfing. And he loved the Gladstone Golf Club where he was a member for many years. His (loud) voice upon entering the clubhouse will be missed, where anyone within his eyesight served as a target for a callout, followed by shouts back with variations of his nickname: “Chick, him Winger, or Chicken Wing!” And as “Chick” approached the 18th green in a foursome of friends, they could always count on a declaration of “I’ll get the first round” even though he himself didn’t imbibe.

Brian was preceded in death by his brother, David, and his parents, Harold (Babe) and Dorrine Anderson, as well as his in-laws, Lawrence and Doris Bouchard. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 38 years, Patti, and brothers, Tim, Bruce (Connie) and Kent (Colleen). Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law, Bill (Jodi) Bouchard; sister-in-law, Janice Bouchard, along with many nieces and nephews.

Uncle Brian loved giving presents for birthdays and Christmas, and we’re pretty sure he enjoyed shopping for them more than he did giving them. Dining during the holidays with family members was a tradition that always brought Brian happiness.

Brian was a good human being and a good Christian. He was a devoted husband, and a good brother and uncle. Most of all, Brian was a good friend who looked for the best in othersand gave the best he had.

Those interested in memorializing Brian are encouraged to make donations to the Gladstone Golf Club, 6514 Days River Road, Gladstone, MI, 49837; or to the First Lutheran Churchmen’s meeting group, 1212 Minneapolis Ave., Gladstone, MI, 49837.

To offer an online message of sympathy to the family please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com