Bert Anderson, 82, former soccer star, commercial artist

Robert “Bert” Anderson of Ridgefield, a former professional soccer player who earned the Bronze Star on Iwo Jima, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Laurel Ridge Health Care Center. He was 82 years old and the husband of Adele Anderson.
Mr. Anderson, a commercial artist, had played 16 years of professional soccer and had captained all-star teams that played internationally.
A native of Varberg, Sweden, Mr. Anderson was born on Feb. 11, 1920, son of the late Victor and Agnes Anderson. He moved to the United States at age nine and lived in Brooklyn and Queens for 59 years. He graduated from Textile High School in New York where he excelled at soccer.
For 16 years Mr. Anderson played professionally in the American Soccer League and was a member and captain of several all-star teams representing the United States in international competitions. The Swedish Football Club recognized his soccer accomplishments, honoring him in 1979, and he was inducted into the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Hall of Fame in New York City in 1989.
During World War II, Mr. Anderson was a U.S. Army radio operator attached to the Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions. He fought at Iwo Jima where he earned the Bronze Star.
After the war, he attended the four-year Art Career School in New York City, and then began a long career as a commercial artist for several major advertising agencies, specializing in not only illustration, but ad layout and typography. He started out at Dreher Advertising, where he worked for 23 years and became art director. Among his accounts were Avon Cosmetics. He then joined Norman, Craig and Kummel as art director, and finally worked at Doyle Dane Bernbach.
In 1988, the Andersons moved to Ridgefield where Mr. Anderson enjoyed attending many Ridgefield High School soccer games, but where he especially liked following his grandsons who played both soccer and baseball.
“His biggest enjoyment was just watching,” said his wife, Adele. “He thought it was great the way soccer had become so popular.”
Mr. Anderson was an avid golfer and was a member of the Knights of Columbus here.
Besides his wife, Mr. Anderson is survived by a daughter, Laura Leonard and her husband Thomas of Ridgefield; and two grandsons, Matthew and Kevin Leonard of Ridgefield. A sister, Lillian Wick, died before him.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday morning at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877.
Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.