Herbert Collins Anderson

Herbert Collins Anderson
November 21, 1926 ~ May 16, 2018
Herbert Collins Anderson, age 91, of Montrose, passed away May 16, 2016 at home. Herb was born on the family farm west of Olathe, Colorado to parents Thomas Collins Anderson and Ethel Mae Cheek Anderson. Herb grew up on the farm helping with all the work of farming and caring for 1200 head of sheep. He attended Fairview Grade School, then Olathe High School graduating in 1944. While in High School, Herb joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and entered service in 1945 to become an Air Cadet. After his discharge he worked for six years at a small airport near Chicago. Then returning to the farm he met and married Esther Lee Collins of Olathe in 1955. They were together for 55 years and were blessed with two children, Rona and Lane. After farming for another six years, he took a job with the Olathe Potato Growers Assn. for 11 years. Then entering local politics, he was elected Montrose County Treasurer, serving in the office for 24 years, retiring in 1994.
In his spare time, he used the basement and garage of their home to construct a small plane called a Long EZ. First flying it in 1986 he took it on two trips to Wisconsin and to other states near Colorado. Totaling over 1200 hours flying time in a period of 26 years. He gave many friends a ride and flying was his most enjoyed hobby.
Surviving family is a daughter, Rona Brabant of Phoenix, AZ, and son Lane Anderson of Montrose, Co., also grandson Joshua and Mai Brabant, great grandsons Jacob and Gavin Brabant of Massachusetts, a sister-in-law Lois Anderson of Montrose. Family preceding Herb in death were his parents, one brother Wallace Anderson and four sisters, Phillis Coffman, Lois Kelly, Patsy Brown, Ruth Mason and Mary Lou Perry.
A Graveside service in celebration of Herb’s life will be held on Saturday, May 26th at 11:00 am at Olathe Cemetery in Olathe Colorado. A reception for family and friends will follow the graveside at the Montrose United Methodist Church on 1st and Park Street. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.