  | Edward Anderson ‘63 | ||||||||
Profile in GivingFamily Values Well-respected. Generous. Modest. Dedicated. One in a million. Warm. These descriptions recur continually when Edward Anderson’s family and friends are asked to share their memories of this hard-working insurance executive and loving family man. Taken at the untimely age of 45, Ed leaves a legacy that will long carry on his values and commitment to the University. He left his wife, Linda, and five daughters: Tracy Foster, Kelly Thompson ’89, Kathy Drezek ’92, Tammy Monahan, and Erin Anderson. Together, they decided to make a gift to the College of Business Administration’s Shareholders Campaign in his memory. When his daughters discussed what the gift would mean to Ed, who served as president of Brokers’ Service Marketing Group, Inc., for 14 years until his death, each recalled his high regard for education and the opportunities it affords. “He would have wanted to give back to people who supported him. He was very proud of URI and would have been proud that he could have made such a gift,” says Kelly Thompson. Kathy Drezek echoes those sentiments and adds, “he never forgot what URI did for him, and he taught his children to give back to the community.” Tammy Monahan believes her father’s ability to support URI would have been particularly significant given his humble beginnings. “A generous donation would have meant a lot to him. And consistent with his character, he would have made it anonymously.” His family and friends also stress that Ed was generous with his time. He held leadership positions in numerous industry associations, including the presidency of both the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association and the Rhode Island Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters. He also served as a trustee of the URI Foundation. Says his longtime business partner David Lea Jr. ’59, “he went through all the chairs for the local business organizations thinking that he was fortunate enough to have enjoyed some rather substantial rewards in the business we shared, and he wanted to give back. He always found time to do those things and do them well.” The desire to help others was one of Ed’s innate qualities. “He was in command of his spirit, and he shared his affection, his expertise, and his focus with all those around him,” states David Lea. Ed’s family is proud to support the Shareholders Campaign, and his daughters believe that because of this contribution, the College of Business Administration will embrace even higher standards, prompting generations of students to remember their father. They also hope that those who benefit will go on to follow Ed’s example, becoming leaders in their own right while also finding time to give back themselves. “It’s a great honor that this gift will carry on our dad’s name and will stand for the values he held in life,” says Tammy Monahan. —Maria V. Caliri ’86, M.B.A. ’92 |
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