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| Science & Technology |
| Obit: Captain William Robert Anderson, Cmdr USS Nautilus |
| 2007-03-06 |
| William Robert Anderson, a former U.S. congressman and captain of the Nautilus on its historic under-the-ice trips to the North Pole, died Feb. 25. He was 85. Anderson died in Leesburg, Va., following a brief illness, his family said. Anderson took command of the Navy's Nautilus in 1957, when the submarine cruised to within 180 miles of the North Pole. The next year Anderson and his crew of 115 made the first voyage from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean by passing under the ice of the North Pole. After retiring from the Navy, Anderson served as a consultant to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, helping to create the Peace Corps. In 1964, he was elected to his first of four terms representing the sixth district of Tennessee in Congress. Anderson also was a businessman. In 1973, he became chairman of the board of directors of Digital Management Corp. He also served as director for Atlantic Union before founding the data management firm Public Management Corp. with his wife. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #4 ..One other slightly eerie note: Anderson came close to being asked to serve as George McGovern's running mate in 1972, but never got the nod because he was considered too much of a maverick. The guy who got the job - at least the first one - was Missouri Senator Thomas Eagleton, who passed away yesterday. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2007-03-06 11:21 |
| #3 ..Sadly he went kinda liberal as a politician - but the courage, skill and leadership he displayed aboard Nautilus were in the highest traditions of the Silent Service. Fair seas and following winds, Sir. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2007-03-06 11:10 |
| #2 Condolences to his family and colleagues of this warrior and distinguished stateman. I did not know he was from Leesburg. I'll be hoisting a pint to his honor at Lightfoots in due time. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-03-06 01:53 |
| #1 RIP - the YOU ARE THERE adventure book series, including that of the Nautilus expedition, was one of favorites to read [over and over] as a young boy. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-03-06 00:25 |