Dennis Murray Anderson

Always the jokester, Dennis Murray Anderson was expected to depart the planet on April Fools’ Day. He had the last laugh when he postponed his departure until April 2, 2024. Dennis spent a lifetime causing mischief and razzing everyone he knew. The more he teased you, the more he loved you.

Dennis was born in Columbus, OH on March 15, 1942 to Ralph H. Anderson and Naomi Whitcomb. Besides his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by two brothers and their wives: Andy and Ann, and Dick and Molly. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, brother David (Pam), daughter Jennifer Marcellana (Dean), grandchildren Mia and Leo, former spouse and mother of Jennifer (Margaret), and many loving sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Dennis graduated from Grandview Heights High School, where he was co-captain of the football team and ran track. In his senior year, the Grandview Hts football team had the often heralded (by Dennis anyway) distinction of BEATING UPPER ARLINGTON in the last game of the season - this was the final year that these two schools played each other during regular season.

Dennis spent his free time roaming the Scioto River near Grandview and its neighboring quarries, and was an avid fisherman in his youth. He earned his degrees, including a Masters degree and PhD, from The Ohio State University and Bowling Green University. He paused in the middle for service in the Air National Guard, and was stationed in France. During the first half of his career he was an ecologist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Later he served as an admitting representative in the ER and Labor and Delivery departments at OSU Wexner Medical Center, where he was very good friends with many of the staff. 

Dennis enjoyed being outdoors, including family vacations to Canada, eagerly anticipated summer trips to his mother’s southern Indiana roots where he played baseball and hide/seek in the local cemetery with his favorite cousins, and also trips to the beach. He dedicated much of his life to observing and protecting the environment. He has always been an animal lover, and had MANY pets over the years, including some as a teenager that were outside the norm such as wild snakes, a skunk, and even a crow that perched outside his bedroom window and accompanied him when he walked to and from school. (He often said his mom was a saint, as she fully supported all of his interests.) 

Dennis also enjoyed children very much, and briefly considered becoming an elementary educator. He loved attending his daughter’s and grandchildren’s sporting and music events, such as track meets, marching band, soccer, cheerleading and concerts. Like a true Anderson, he never met an ice cream cone he didn’t love. 

Dennis’s family is very grateful for the caring expertise shown by Capital City Hospice during the past few months. In lieu of flowers, Dennis requested that you hug children, befriend animals, lend support to those in need, or support a cause that cares in these ways. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.