Vernom Dale Anders

Vernom Dale Anders beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Vern, Dale to many of his friends, was born during the great depression and grew up in Monongahela, Pennsylvania. There, he worked at his family store and served as a volunteer firefighter. As a young man he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range as a missile guidance engineer. After his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Pennsylvania to complete a degree as a Nittany Lion at Penn State University. While back in Pennsylvania he met and married Diane Roberta Watson, the love of his life, starting a love affair lasting over 63 years. The couple settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico where they began their family.

Their love of the southwest brought them to Arizona in 1969 where he worked as a computer engineer for many decades, going from punch cards to the modern technology of today. After retiring he stayed active developing countless hobbies including woodworking. He made many wooden toys and keepsakes for family and friends. He also enjoyed watching Arizona sports teams, which eventually led to the two of them working for their beloved Diamondbacks for several years. 

But his true passion was documenting life. He recorded a history of his own life through his daily writings creating his own autobiography. The record of our family was recorded through his writings and his ever-present camera lens. We lovingly remember him saying “just one more” and we are eternally grateful we stopped to pose for all those pictures and the associated memories they represent. The hundreds of picture albums he made for every year of each family members’ life are more valuable than any treasure. 

He was always genuinely present for anyone. At every sporting event, club activity and life events. Doing the things that needed to be done, willing to help, listening and offering some kind words. As a man he was unbelievably selfless, never uttered a negative word and had a bottomless well of patience.

He peacefully passed away in Sun City, Arizona, on Wednesday February 5th, 2025, surrounded by multiple generations of his loving family. He is survived by his wife Diane, children Karen, Scott (Lora), Robert (Carrie), 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.