Ingel Leo (Dr.) Anderson |
| Posted 2009-12-24 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, January 19, 2003 Dr. Ingel L. Anderson June 28, 1908 - January 12, 2003. Seldom has one man dedicated so much of his life to benefit so many others! There is no-one in the Swedish community in Arizona or Southern California who has not heard his name mentioned. His heart as well as his home was an open door for those far and wide to visit or for advice. He was almost 95 years old, had out-lived 15 American presidencies, had shaken hands with the old King of Sweden Gustaf V and the new King Carl Gustaf XVI. He had limitless energy, a true optimist and achiever. Ingel Leo Anderson was born June 28, 1908 in Vinberg, Sweden. Ingel, the second of 6 children left Sweden at the age of 17 to live in the United States. He worked on the farm with his father's cousin, Alfred Peterson, in Greentop, Missouri and simultaneously put himself through Davis High School near Kirksville. Not only did he participate in the orchestra playing the saw and violin, he became captain of their basketball team. He went on to business college and in 1928 left for Chicago and soon thereafter Detroit working in tool shops learning the tool-and-die making trade. He attended Wayne University (then City College) furthering his education and living frugally enough to finance his Osteopathic studies - only to which were lost in the 1930 depression. Starting over, Ingel started giving violin lessons and later banded together several other young Swedish musicians to form a popular orchestra playing at dances or parties for Scandinavian organizations. Later he worked for the Ford Tri-motor plant in Dearborn, Michigan. In December 1931 he set off for Los Angeles working in the tool-and-die industry, continuing his studies at the University of Southern California, and on to the College of Naturopathic Physicians and Surgeons, winning a degree as a Doctor of Naturopathy in 1941. After a year of study at the college under Dr. McManis from Kirksville, Mo. Ingel was privileged to teach the McManis Technique and physical therapy during the next three years for his tuition. His successful practice in Beverly Hills was only interrupted a year later by the demands of World War II, where he had the position as industrial doctor under the Navy "E" program in Los Angeles. Even here, his tool-and-die making skills were proven essential when he offered advice solving a vexing die-making problem and they promptly gave him additional duty in the tool department. It wasn't until late 1944 he finished his navy duties. When an opportunity arose to direct a clinic in Tucson, he accepted it. He has been an enthusiastic Arizonan ever since. With World War II over, the young doctor surveyed the Arizona situation and predicted correctly that Phoenix was about to enter an unprecedented period of growth and expansion. It was then he moved to Phoenix and established his practice, "Arden Clinic," in 1946. In 1958 he sold out his part of the practice to his colleague Dr. Weldon Baker. Ingel was president of the Arizona Association of Naturopathic Medicine for two years, from 1944-1946 and he was chairman of the Public Education Committee for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, which covers all of the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, for 1954-56. The post-war period in Arizona became the most productive part of Ingel's life. He invested in land properties from the Scottsdale area to Apache Junction and see what it has become today! In addition to his professional and business successes, he was a Boy Scout Committeeman, a member of Rotary's Thunderbird Club, a 32nd-degree Mason, a member of Phoenix Hiram Club No. 1, a Shriner, a Sciot and a member of the Vasa Order of America. He was active in the Arizona Consular Corps and the American Scandinavian Foundation. Possessed by boundless energy, he became an avid photographer throughout all his travels in Europe and America. Together with his wife Marta, he made yearly trips to Sweden where they loved staying in their summer cottage of Falkenberg. Each year for over a quarter of a century the two of them arranged trips to their beloved homeland, and many Arizonians today have vivid memories of their travels with them. Ingel remained true to his Swedish heritage as an unofficial representative of Sweden in Arizona, helping former countrymen in endless ways speaking about Sweden to service clubs and organizations. In 1963 the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed him Vice Consul of Sweden, approved by Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Within a year or two he became Consul of Sweden, a position he held for almost 30 years, succeeded by Russell Allen. Ingel's most prized honor was the Vasa Order bestowed on him by the King of Sweden, Carl Gustaf XVI. In the early morning hours of January 12th, Ingel Anderson quietly passed away at the Banner House Hospice at Thunderbird Samaritan Medical Center. He was a very determined man who accomplished so much in the amazing life that he led. During the last 15 years of his life anyone who asked him "How are you doing. Doc?" he'd reply, "Oh, I'm hanging in there."...and that is what he did until the very end. Ingel Anderson is survived by his three children, Linda now residing in Stockholm, Sweden; Sonja Beverly now residing in Whitehorse Yukon, Canada; and Leif, a resident of Phoenix, together with their families, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial services will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Wed. January 22nd at 11:00 a.m. 1500 W. Maryland in Phoenix. Contributions can be made to the Rotary Club of Arizona to promote the foreign exchange student program. For more information contact the Hansen Mortuary. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. |
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