Gunnar Donald Anderson, (1927-2022)

He served his country as a member of the United States Coast Guard from 1945 to 1946.

After two years of study at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, he attended Los Angeles Art Center School and in 1951 earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. From 1951 to 1953, he worked as an art director for the advertising agency McCann Erickson in New York City, joining Cunningham and Walsh in 1953, moving to Batten, Barton, Dustine and Osborne in San Francisco in 1955.

Beginning in 1963, Gunnar enjoyed a freelancecareer specializing in portraits of children in oil. He also painted beautiful landscapes and WWI airplanes, many of which were published in flying magazines. He was the illustrator for the children's book Oscar Lincoln Busby Stokes.

Gunnar loved the outdoors. Fishing took him from the lakes and ponds of California and Canada to the oceans of Mexico and Alaska. He also loved flying. He built his first glider in his garage and spent weekends flying with other glider pilots. He also built remote control WWI model airplanes and took great joy in flying them, except for an occasional crash.

Viniculture became an interest for Gunnar, and he planted a small vineyard and created award-winning homemade wines. His ribbons and awards covered a wall in his winery. He loved having a glass or two of his own vintages on his deck overlooking the valley. He was a member of Bohemian Club and took pride in creating special works of art for the Club.

Source:  Legacy Website (Published by Duggan's Mission Chapel on May 9, 2022)

Submitted by:  Adora Morrison