Edmund Anderson Obituary

Edmund Anselm Anderson, beloved father, teacher, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025, at the age of 83.
Born in Little Falls, Minnesota, and raised in Willmar, Edmund carried a deep curiosity for language and culture that led him across the world. Early in his career, he taught missionaries in Indonesia and authored some of the first English-language training materials for learners of Sundanese and Javanese-work that reflected his passion for sociolinguistics and practical approaches to language learning. From 1982 to 1989, he taught at the National University of Singapore before joining the faculty at Hong Kong Baptist University, where he taught from 1989 until his retirement in 2003. Along the way, he touched countless lives-students, colleagues, and friends-many of whom credit him for his quiet guidance and generous support.
Though a reserved man, Edmund had a warm, goofy side, often delighting his children with offbeat jokes and playful antics. He was deeply committed to his family and worked tirelessly to support his children and give them every opportunity he could.
He loved to drive-especially when visiting his hometown of Willmar. He would often take to the open roads of the Midwest, exploring backroads and small towns. One of his fondest memories was taking his children, Lennart and Lisa, on a road trip all the way to Washington, D.C. He often recalled his college days and his drive from Minnesota to Los Angeles-before the interstate system-with a mixture of pride and disbelief, especially the moment he was warned about "the desert," a part of the country he hadn't realized existed. In his final years, he found joy in being driven through the scenic landscapes surrounding Portland, Oregon by Lisa and Lennart-peaceful moments filled with companionship and reflection.
Edmund is survived by his family, Yulianti, Lennart, Lisa, and Laura Anderson; and a host of former students and friends around the world who were lucky to learn from and know him.
A viewing will be held on July 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a message delivered at 2 p.m., at Omega Funeral & Cremation Services, 223 SE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233. Well wishes can be directed to [email protected]
In honoring his memory, we carry forward his love of language, his kindness, and the quiet strength with which he shaped the lives of so many.