Steven Wayne Anderson

Steven Wayne Anderson, 64, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away on Friday, December 6th at Northside Hospital, Gwinnett. He went peacefully, surrounded by family, after a heroic year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, and love of his life, Susanne Urban, and their son, Sean.

Steve was a light in everyone’s lives. Incurably optimistic and terminally irreverent, he cut a memorable figure with his collection of vibrant Hawaiian shirts and his infectious and identifiable laugh. He loved to entertain (and annoy) his family and coworkers by singing whatever song popped into his head in the moment. “There’s a song in there somewhere,” he’d say. His wake-up song was a real favorite at our house… not. He was funny and goofy. He was also understanding, loving, and supportive. He met people where they were, and laughed with them there. Life with him was never boring.

He was born on August 2nd, 1960, to James and Lois (Smith) Anderson, in Bay City, MI. He joined big brother Bob, and little sister Cheryl rounded out the family four years later. He grew up in Midland, MI, where he was active in the Boy Scouts and excelled on the high school track team. His siblings fondly remember the summer that he mastered his unicycle, and the fun they had falling off of it in the process. His adult life would continue much the same: Steve loved the outdoors, hiking, traveling, and being in the sun. He was always ready for his next adventure, to learn a new skill, to hike a new trail, to sing a new song. He returned to Scouting in later decades as a volunteer with his son’s troop, for whom he was a great teacher and mentor.

After graduating from H. H. Dow High School, class of 1978, he went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. He was an active member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and many friendships he made there would stay strong through the decades. He began his professional career at IBM in Endicott, NY, where he met his beloved Sue. They married on June 20th, 1987, and in 1990 welcomed their son Sean into their family. The trio spent many loving years together in Southern Tier NY. Later, Steve’s work took him to Nashville, and finally in 2018 to Atlanta, where he worked at Engent. His colleagues speak often of his positive energy, and will miss him dearly.

Steve appreciated life. He loved good food and music of all kinds. He was an excellent cook in his own right, and the first thing he would do in a new city was to scout out the best restaurant. The second was to find concerts and events. Blues, country, rock and roll: there was always another show on the calendar.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Lois. He is survived by his father Jim, by his siblings Bob and Cheryl, and by his wife Sue, son Sean, and furry best friend Kato. He is now off on his next adventure. So put on a Hawaiian shirt and sing a song, in-tune or not, in honor of Steve. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at a later date to be determined. In the meantime we can each celebrate Steve every day by greeting the world and one another other as he did, with a twinkle in our eyes and love in our hearts.