Richard Berle Anderson, 70, of Cave Creek, Arizona, and graduate of CAL High School, Latimer, IA, passed away on July 17, 2023.
Son of Berle and Genevieve (Ahrens) Anderson, Dick was born March 30, 1953, in Hampton, IA. During his younger years, Dick enjoyed playing football, making things in shop class, fox hunting with his brothers, making mud pies on the back porch with his sister, and riding horses.
Dick worked hard his entire life. From owning Anderson Drywall in Lake Havasu City, AZ, to running Red Mountain Stables with his wife in Mesa, AZ, Dick put blood, sweat and tears into everything he did and built a successful and fulfilling life.
Among his numerous skills, such as building or fixing literally anything or making artwork out of horseshoes, Dick was also a pilot and owned an airplane, in which he flew his kids over the Grand Canyon on one of their epic yearly vacations.
Perhaps Dick's greatest passion in life was for his late wife, Deborah Sue Anderson (Debbie). He spent every breath making her life what she'd always dreamed, especially with regard to her love for horses. It was a passion they both shared. Dick and Debbie built a beautiful life together, and his life was forever changed when she passed away in 2017. He lovingly stood by her side throughout her entire illness until the day she passed.
After losing Debbie, Dick lost his passion to keep running Red Mountain Stables and sold it to someone dedicated to keep the business going the way he and Debbie had made it. He then moved to Cave Creek with his beloved dog Tank where he enjoyed his 2nd greatest passion, team roping. Dick was a regular at Dynamite Arena and was well known for winning championship buckles and saddles, with the help of his horses named Bud Light, Awesome, and Bull, to name a few.
Perhaps the favorite part of Dick's twilight years was getting to see his granddaughters Presley and Aria, who he would proudly introduce to everyone he knew on their yearly trips to Cave Creek. Those girls brought out a soft side in him like few have ever seen.
After losing his dog and favorite roping buddy Tank to sudden illness, Dick hung up his saddle and never rode again. A life of hard work in the Arizona heat started to catch up with him, resulting in multiple heart complications which eventually took his life at his home in Cave Creek.
Dick is survived by son, Steven (Ashley) Anderson, North Liberty, IA, and grandchildren, Presley and Aria; daughter, Rachel (Dan) Manders, Cedar Rapids, IA, and grandchildren, Jack and Jacob; Step-daughter Jessica Kenney, Peoria, AZ; Step-son Aaron Kenney, Kingman, AZ; siblings: Phyllis Nelson, Hampton, IA; Dee (Jerry) Lyons, Alden, IA; Russ (Vicki) Anderson, Belmond, IA; Donna Olemann, Beaman, IA; and Joyce (Gary) Meyer, Alden, IA; along with many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Berle and Genevieve, sister Virginia, brother Dale, his dog Tank, and his beloved wife Debbie.
Cowboy's Last Ride - "Saddle up Cowboy, this was truly your life. Loving the horses and always loving to ride. You sat tall in that saddle, and you rode so well. You were one true Cowboy; this anyone could tell. Your cowboy hat, you wore it with pride. Those cowboy boots rode many a mile. Now your life on Earth is over, God has plans for you. So, saddle up Cowboy, this will be a journey for you. God will lead you up to Heaven, and he will ride at your side. So once again, saddle up Cowboy, it's time for your final ride."
