Joseph F. Anderson (Joe), formerly of New Canaan, CT, Clinton, NY, Dorset, VT, and Camden, SC, died peacefully in Redding, CT on Thursday, July 6, at the age of 96, following a vibrant life devoted to family, Hamilton College, and numerous other causes. Joe, the son of Anna V. Anderson and Ernest D. Anderson, was born in Buffalo, NY on March 11, 1921. Since 1948, he has been married to the love of his life, Molly Waters Anderson, also of Buffalo. Joe attended Phillips Andover Academy and graduated from Hamilton College, class of ’44. Post Hamilton, Joe served in the United States Marine Corp before beginning two very successful careers. Joe first worked for the Dictaphone Corporation, where he rose to become an Executive Vice President of Advertising. During his tenure at Dictaphone, Joe and Molly settled in New Canaan, where he became a bedrock of the community for the 23 years they resided there. He was a founder of The First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Building Committee for the YMCA (1961), President of the Winter Club of New Canaan (1969-1971), Little League baseball coach for the Eagles for more than 20 years, a Board Member of the Country Club of New Canaan, and a Town Selectman. Simultaneously, Joe’s involvement at Hamilton College grew, and in the mid-1960s, he was asked to chair the College’s annual Alumni Fund drive. Joe immensely enjoyed this role, and in 1970, in gratitude, Joe was elected an Alumni Trustee. Joe was now well-known for his devotion to Hamilton and his success in fundraising, and this was the catalyst for the second chapter in his lengthy career, when in 1974, Joe officially became Hamilton’s Vice President for Communications and Development. In 1992, having been extremely successful in his role, Joe retired, and, in recognition of his outstanding service and loyalty over decades, the Board of Trustees awarded him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Notably, up until the time of his death, Joe continued to participate as a Life Trustee. In addition, during his early retirement years, Joe was called upon to consult by leading secondary schools and colleges in the northeast. Joe was blessed with an incredible love for and interest in people, which was complimented by a boundless enthusiasm for life. Most importantly, Joe had a gift for placing a name with a face and a friend. The combination of these three unique characteristics established Joe as one of the preeminent fundraisers in higher education and, more importantly, earned Hamilton College the reputation as one of the leading liberal arts colleges in America. Joe, with Molly, divided his retirement years between Dorset, VT and Camden, SC, where he continued to be actively involved in numerous activities. An avid golfer, Joe treasured his membership at the Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester, VT, where he served as President and as an Honorary Trustee. In Camden, Joe belonged to Springdale Hall Club and the Camden Country Club, and as a Board member of the KershawHealth Foundation, he continued to share his fundraising expertise. Joe was also an esteemed member of the US Seniors, a golf association that he considered to be comprised of some of the finest people he’d ever met. Beyond all of these achievements, the single most important thing in Joe’s life was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Molly, daughter, Missy Fallon, son Rick Anderson, five grandchildren, and a great granddaughter, all of whom he was exceptionally proud. Funeral services are private, although a celebration of Joe’s life will also take place at Hamilton College this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Joe’s memory be made to Hamilton College (Office of Advancement, 198 College Hill Rd, Clinton, NY 13323), and directed either to the Joseph F. Anderson ’44 Internship Fund or to enhance Hamilton’s Athletic Facilities.