Alumni Profile: John Anderson ’63

We recently caught up with our very own John Anderson ’63 and had the chance to ask him about his Phi Delt experience, and where life since Ohio State has taken him. Here’s what he had to say: 

I graduated from a small rural high school in Licking County. My graduating class was 22 students. I was one of the 10 percent of my class that went to college. Needless to say, entering Ohio State was a real culture and academic shock for me. Since that first year was such a struggle for me I didn’t pledge a fraternity until my sophomore year, and I’m so happy it was Phi Delta Theta. I think the most important lesson I learned while being an active Phi Delt was to live and work with the diverse group of men with whom I lived and with whom I socialized. Other than living with a great group of guys, some of my fondest memories were going to Buckeyes football games, Phi Delt social functions and going to dinner at Reebs restaurant with Professor Wilson Dumble. Guys in my age group will remember Wilson, who was a Phi Delt himself and lived in the house. After graduating from Ohio State in 1963 with my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree, I started working for Pratt & Whitney (Aerospace Engine Manufacturer) and was with them for 42+ years. My original base was in Palm Beach County, Florida. During my career I worked in quite a few different departments and several field assignments. Those included stints in Long Island, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Tokyo, Japan and Munich, Germany. In 2000 I was transferred to East Hartford, CT where I retired. Liz (my wife of 57 years) and I are now snowbirds, spending winters in Tequesta, Florida and summers in Higganum, CT. We enjoy visits with our 4 children and 8 grandchildren, although we don’t get to see some of them very often since they are spread out in Port Salerno, FL, Boston, Cleveland and Zushi, Japan. We are active in our churches both in Tequesta and CT where we sing in the choirs, although COVID-19 has put a temporary hold on the choir activity.   

Would you or a brother you know make a great alumni profile subject? Email us at alumninews@affinityconnection.com or CLICK HERE to let us know!