Philip Dean Anderson
December 10, 1928-July 22, 2022
Phil came from Nebraska, one of four children that Ethel and Elmer Anderson raised on a farm near Holdrege. At 14, he started as a stocker with Hested’s variety stores.
Four years later, Phil graduated from high school, married his former schoolmate and church member Joan (Sall), and soon became an assistant manager in the company’s flagship store. Joan and Phil welcomed their first child, Monica (Miller), eleven months after their January marriage.
Phil soon became Hested’s youngest store manager. He and Joan moved seven times in seven years, as Phil helped distressed stores to thrive. After the births of Connie (Zimmer) and Angie (Parkison), Phil and Joan transferred to Glenwood Springs in 1954. He refused additional transfers, and the Andersons’ son, Greg, was among the last babies born in Porter’s Hospital.
After 29 years, Phil saw the corporation’s failure approaching. He rented a retail space across the street. Joan decorated the windows with cartoons forecasting the 1974 opening of Anderson’s Pants Pocket.
The couple bought their building and converted the upstairs to office rentals. Monica later took over management of the clothing store. The two high school sweethearts celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2022.
A service is planned at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glenwood Springs on Wednesday, July 27 at one o’clock.