Born on 14
July 1938 in Bremerton Washington to Francis E. and Harold A. Anderson, Don
spent all his early years in that Navy centered city. His vivid early memories were heavily damaged
ships limping in to the naval shipyard and listening to war reports on the old
and scratchy radio.
Graduating
from Bremerton High in 1956 he received his Associate degree from Olympic
College in 1958. By this time he was an avid climber and before retirement from
climbing had more than 150 ascents.
He first came
to Alaska in 1960 when he successfully climbed Mt. McKinley, worked briefly on
an environmental project in the Swanson River field, and completed building a
house in Kenai.
After
completing his first degree he spent several years teaching high school in
Toledo (in Washington State), enjoyed some climbing in Peru and Wyoming, and
returned to college for three more degrees. He came back to Alaska in 1966 to
pioneer a new route on Mt. Hunter.
An unsuccessful expedition
on a new McKinley route in 1968 brought Don and his wife, Dana, back to Alaska
for an entire summer of touring the road system (and a few peaks in the
Talkeetnas).
After completing his
terminal degree in Physical Chemistry in 1970, Dr. Anderson spent some time in
North Carolina followed by three years developing computer control systems for
the sawmill industry.
Dr. Anderson returned
permanently to Alaska in 1974 as an Engineering Analyst with the TAPS project,
and started his software construction company, Software North, in 1978.
Thirty-Six years later he
continues as the head of Software North although his experienced staff really
runs the show; he devotes his time to reading, writing and his extensive
correspondence with friends around the world.
In addition to teaching
multiple classes in mathematics, chemistry and engineering while pursuing
advanced degrees Dr. Anderson has lectured on:
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