Bruce "Bock" Anderson
2012-09-23
Anderson, Bruce F. (Bock) died at age 68 after a long illness on September 23, 2012, at his Maiden Rock, Wisconsin farmhouse companioned by his devoted son Jason, daughter-in-law Ashley, and the last of Bock's many rescued animals, Mona the cat. Born in Seattle, Washington on February 23, 1944 to Edith and Fred G. Anderson, Bock is survived by Jason, Ashley, and granddaughter Emma of Minnesota, sister Barbara Seabridge of California, and nieces Sasha Pope and Christine Ferrone. A wide and diverse circle of beloved companions, longtime friends and neighbors, former spouses, fellow artists, colleagues and adventurers also mourn the passing of this generous, wildly creative man. Bock grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota and attended Hopkins schools as well as Gustavus Adolphus College, graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, spending his senior year in Holland. After graduation he taught art, worked in the paint and wallcovering industry with his father's company, co-hosted an interior design cable television program, and in his later years produced arts and crafts, and captained a nature tour boat in Florida. Bock became a nature lover/adventurer at an early age. Always peripatetic and before he was big enough to backpack, Bock wheelbarrowed his camping gear down the long sloping yard of the family home in Hopkins in order to sleep under the stars. As an adult he would navigate and lead river rafting trips in the Grand Canyon and South America. A lifetime of treks, river trips, and forays concluded with his roundtrip drive from Wisconsin to the art-filled city of Oaxaca, Mexico in the winter of 2010. He described that 2,000 mile journey as his Swedish version of "Nirvana". Unselfish, imaginative, eager to discuss history and politics, host a dinner party, recycle outdoor sculptures, rescue a stray animal, plant more trees, or make a "bakery run" to Maiden Rock, Bock's final river run occurred a few weeks before he died -- floating an inner tube down his beloved Rush River. A memorial picnic was held at the farm on Saturday, September 29. Bock was aided by Hospice Care in his final years. His favorite charity to which revenues from his art have been donated is Physicians without Borders. .Published in Star Tribune on October 7, 2012
Bruce was a childhood friend and neighbor when we lived in Minnetonka, MN.I remember how much fun we had together as kids. Bruce's mother drove a 1955 Ford and Bruce and I would "drive" it back and forth in and out of the garage. We'd put the car in neutral, and then one would push it while the other took a turn at "driving". While I haven't seen Bruce since then, his memory will always remain in my fondest memories of my childhood. My condolances to his family. Sincerely,Bill Ruzin
tribute by William Ruzintribute by Karen Stenback