Gil Anderson passed away quietly at home on February 14, 2024 after fighting a long illness, with his wife, Beth of 52 years, holding his hand.
If you tried to sum up the essence of Gil Anderson, it would be passion. Whether in his personal art, teaching art to junior high students, building Appalachian Mountain dulcimers, the years he spent as a financial advisor helping people focus on their retirement dreams, his teaching golf career, authoring the book, Going Fore It in Golf and Life, Gil always pursued life with over-the-top enthusiasm. His great abiding love for people helped them accomplish their dreams. In turn, his students and clients remember him, even decades later, as one of the great mentors in their lives.
Always up for an adventure…Gil enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed collecting seashells. He climbed to the top of Diamond Head in Oahu and even checked out his Donald Duck impersonation at Disney. Through traveling, Gil and Beth always enjoyed playing a wide array of golf courses together.He served in the US Air Force from 1967-1971 as an illustrator in Shrevesport, LA and Goosebay, Labrador and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.
He earned an Associate Degree from Westchester Community College, after completing his four (4) year commitment of military service during the Vietnam era. He then transferred to SUNY New Paltz and completed his education in painting, sculpture and art education.
After graduation, Gil had an eclectic career, always with education as the cornerstone. He taught Junior High art in the Taconic School district (Hillsdale, NY). He also started his own dulcimer company, Dulcimer Daze, where he created a unique design of Appalachian Mountain dulcimers with a sculptured sound, synthesized from his art training. He later merged with Folkcraft Instruments with a retail shop in the Webtauck Craft Village, in Wingdale, NY. He wrote and performed songs 40 years ago, including Nut Factory Shuffle and Dulcimer Daze, that are still widely played across the country today. As a golf teacher, he was a member of United States Golf Teachers Federation. He was an instructor at Undermountain Golf Course in Boston Corner, NY, Otterkill Golf Club in Campbell Hall, NY and Winding Hills Golf Course in Montgomery, NY. In addition to writing Going Fore It In Golf and Life, he also created golf teaching videos on his YouTube channel (GoingForeIt) and offered motivational speaking on the book’s philosophy. For more than 30 years, Gil also worked as a financial advisor through Prudential, Middletown Savings Bank, New Horizons Asset Management, and at Rhinebeck Asset Management.
He was born on April 20, 1947 to the late Gilbert M. Anderson, Sr. and Marion Whilhelm Anderson. In addition to his wife, Beth, he is survived by his sister Joan Anfinsen (Lenny), a nephew Drew (Tracy) Anfinsen, niece Dawn Anfinsen, all of Hackettstown, NJ and nephew Craig Anfinsen of Goldsboro, NC. Gil is predeceased by their daughter Melanie, who died suddenly during the pandemic on November 10, 2020.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Like Emerson, who was Gil's favorite poet and essayist, Gil found deep happiness in such a life.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Alzheimer Association, to fund research so that others will not need to say the long goodbye like Gil and Beth did, 2649 South Road, #101, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday February 24, 10am-12:30pm, at Overhiser Funeral Home, 78 Union St., Montgomery. A service will follow at 12:30, at the funeral home.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Home.
For directions or condolences please visit millspaughfuneralhome.com