Dr. R. Gene Anderson, professor emeritus of communication, passed away on July 4. He was 92.

Anderson was born in Bay City, Texas, in 1933. He received his B.A. and M.A. in speech education from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and his Ph.D. in communication from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was awarded the University Fellowship for Academic Excellence.

Anderson began his career at Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu in 1956, where he taught speech and English. In 1959, he served as department chair and taught speech in grades seven through 12 at the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu. In 1966, he entered higher education, becoming an assistant professor of communication at the University of Hawaii.

Anderson moved to Fresno in 1970 to accept a tenure-track position in the Department of Communication at Fresno State where he remained until his retirement in 1996. While at Fresno State, he served as a professor, director of communication education, supervisor of student teachers and graduate teaching assistant. His research and pedagogy focused on communication education, instructional communication, verbal interaction analysis, questioning strategies and classroom discipline.

“While he was in Hawaii, he had been a high school teacher and had actual classroom experience in the K-12 system that he could bring to bear, teaching our Fresno State students who would go on to become teachers in the Valley,” said Dr. Douglas Fraleigh, professor of communication.

Beyond the classroom, Anderson served in leadership positions in professional organizations around the country, including the California Speech Association, Western States Communication Association, the National Communication Association and the Comprehensive Teacher Education Institute at Fresno State.

“He was a man committed to being an excellent teacher,” said Dr. John Cagle, professor emeritus of communication. “He was a national leader in the teacher education area in our national communication association. He had quite a reputation.”

That dedication led to Anderson receiving several high-profile awards and recognitions throughout his career, including the Speech Teacher of the Year award from the Pacific Speech Association, the Faculty Meritorious Performance Award from Fresno State in 1986 and 1990, and the Outstanding Professor of the Year award in 1995-96 from Fresno State.

Anderson’s colleagues remember him as a calming presence, someone who remained cool and collected even in the most contentious circumstances.

“Academics can be petty, defensive, and prone to being pedantic. I never heard Gene say an unkind word about anyone nor engage in any hall talk gossip. He was the real deal—a thoughtful scholar and beloved teacher,” said Kathy Adams, professor emerita of communication.

Following his retirement, Anderson achieved emeritus status at Fresno State. Later, the Department of Communication’s outstanding graduate teaching award was named in his honor. Anderson and his wife, Nancy, moved to San Luis Obispo and later to San Antonio, Texas.

Anderson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy, and his children: David Kala Anderson and his wife, Angela; Ronald Kekoa Anderson and his wife, Amanda; Bruce Keahi Anderson; Malia Anderson Mixon and her husband, Kirk, and 12 grandchildren. He joins his daughter-in-law, Karen, in eternal rest. Anderson’s extended family will take his ashes to Hawaii to be buried at sea.

Visit Legacy.com to read more about Anderson.