RE Log - Fall 2020

72 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2020 In Loving Henry H. “Harry” Anderson, Jr. ’38 , passed away at 3:30 a.m. on May 11, 2020, 22 days from his 99th birthday and just short of his 82nd reunion at Ransom Everglades. His death was not related to COVID-19. The son of an alumnus, Henry H. Anderson, Sr. ’11 , Harry began nine remarkable decades at RE in 1930 by paddling a canoe to attend an interview with Alice Ransom, the wife of the school’s founder. As a student, Harry shared after-school adventures with best-selling author Sloan Wilson ’38 and painting great Emilio Sanchez ’34 . In the late ’40s, he served on the board of trustees with RE legends Henry Timken ’26 and C.T. Ludington ’15 . In the ’50s, he was named the first chair of the Alumni Association and helped execute the school’s first formalized capital campaign. In 1970, he helped save the Pagoda from demolition. In the 1980s, he offered the first – and largest – individual gift to construct the gymnasium that bears his name and the Dan Leslie Bowden Library. In the 2000s, he gave the sailing program a fleet of new boats. Days before his death, he was in touch with RE’s head of school and penned encouragement to RE’s Class of 2020. “We have lost a true legend,” Head of School Penny Townsend said. “I’m grateful to have known him and experienced his great wisdom and deep love for Ransom Everglades. As an ambassador and caretaker for this institution, he stands in a class by himself. He will never be forgotten.” Harry was also yachting’s preeminent international statesman for more than 60 years. There is nary a noteworthy body of water upon which he did not compete or officiate. Communicator, problem solver, philanthropist, and fun-loving friend, everyone – from HRH Prince Philip, gold medalists, sultans and presidents, to waterfront rascals – knew him as Harry. Born June 2, 1921, in New York City, Harry had early distinguished colonial antecedents, namely his Eight Bells Saying goodbye to legendary alumnus, Henry H. Anderson, Jr.’38 Memory