Robert S. Anderson, of East Wareham, passed away at Life Care Center in Plymouth on March 7 at the age of 77 after a bout with cancer. He was born on February 14, 1942, to Onnie and Gertrude Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Anderson, daughter Kristen Foley and husband John, granddaughters Katelyn Foley and Kendra Foley. Other survivors include six brothers and sisters, Ronald, Richard and Lester Anderson, David and Pam Anderson, sister Carolyn Kierstead, Helen and Norman Dirsa and brother in law Lewis Perry, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Robert was predeceased by his sisters Betty (Anderson) Duarte and Eleanor Perry.

Bob graduated from Bourne High School in 1960 and from Wentworth Institute with an associate degree in electrical engineering in 1965. He served in the 25th Infantry in Vietnam from 1966-67. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, he returned to private life and accepted a job with New England Telephone where he worked until he retired. After retiring he helped his wife, Mary, with the sale of real estate for many years.

A convert to Catholicism in the 60's with the guidance of Rev. Francis Mahoney, he remained a life-long communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Wareham.

He loved the outdoors, fishing for bass down by the herring run at the Cape Cod Canal. He loved boating, bird watching, ice fishing, gardening and enjoying nature in all its forms.

He loved his home on White Island Pond and the people on the pond were all his friends. He pulled water skiers, took long slow rides along the pond edge and always worked at keeping the pond as clean as possible for his grandchildren.

His greatest love was for God and his family. He married his high school sweetheart after going together through college in 1966. He was so proud of his daughter, Kristen, who he would spend hours with teaching all the wonders of nature. Her husband, John, was so dear to him that he felt he was more of a son than a son-in law. His two granddaughters, Katelyn and Kendra, he talked about constantly. Bragging to anyone who would listen about how smart they were, what great athletes they were and how he watched all their games.

He was a kind and gentle man with a wonderful heart. Those who had a chance to know him are very lucky. He will be missed. But if you see bass jumping in the canal you can know that he is catching them bigger and better in Heaven.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 18 at St. Margaret’s Church, Main St., Buzzards Bay at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours have been omitted.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, c/o St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham, MA 02571. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions and on-line guestbook visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.