Myrwin "Red" W. Anderson Obituary (1922

Myrwin Wright ("Red") Anderson was born in Edwardsport, Indiana, February 17, 1922, to Ira Myrwin and Grace Leone Anderson. In Edwardsport, he was a serious student and gifted athlete, as well as a committed wanderer around the fields, unpaved roads, and creekbeds throughout the region. After graduating from EHS, he attended Purdue University and majored in physical education. His college career was interrupted by his enlistment in the Naval Aviator Corps in 1941. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Purdue to complete a BS and MS while lettering in basketball, baseball and track and serving as the captain of the basketball team. He earned the Big 10 Medal of Honor for academics and athletics in his senior year. After graduation in 1947, he moved to Batesville, Indiana, where he was hired as the basketball coach at Batesville High School. Along with his role as the basketball coach, he helped establish the first football program at Batesville and served as assistant coach. After four successful seasons and marriage to Janet Downey, he was hired in Madison as the high school basketball coach in the fall of 1950. With this move began a nearly 40 year career with the Madison school corporation including service as principal at North Madison, E.O. Muncie, and Madison Consolidated High School, and culminating in his selection as principal at the newly constructed Michigan Road School, where he and an amazing group of committed teachers formed an academic community that transformed the lives of thousands of students on Madison's hilltop. He greatly loved his time at MRS even though it included overseeing the aftermath of the 1974 tornado, which destroyed the original building and led to its reconstruction. He received the District Seven IAEMSP Distinguished Principal Award in1986. The highlight of his career occurred when the faculty and community of the school organized a campaign to rename the school as M.W. Anderson Elementary in 1986. He participated in and coached American Legion baseball and basketball teams and won state championships in each. He was the long-time starter for area swimming events and track competitions. He enjoyed as much time on the golf course as possible and also sang with a barbershop group. He performed in talent shows at the schools he led, at church, and through other community organizations. He was an avid member and supporter of Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, and the Madison Country Club, a member and board member at Trinity United Methodist Church, and a Sanibel Community Church Fellowship Member. He was honored by the establishment of three scholarships in his name: one for MCHS graduates who had attended his namesake school, and two at Purdue established by his former basketball players. Mr. Anderson passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020, at 10:40 p.m. at King's Daughters' Health in Madison, Indiana. Please Click Here to View the Video Tribute Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording A LOVING FAMILY He was preceded in death by his parents, son Kerry, and sister Helen Hunt. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janet; his children Sherry Anderson, Kevin Anderson, Shelly (Steve) Hamilton, and Shawny Anderson; his grandchildren Katlin Anderson, Georgia (Daniel) Windsor, and Drew Hamilton, and several nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL SERVICE A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Brown Memorial Gymnasium, 100 Broadway Street in Downtown Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Sunday from 1:00 p.m.until the time of service at the Brown Memorial Gymnasium. PLACE OF REST Interment will be private in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana. Full military honors will be performed by the United States Navy Ceremonial Unit and the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the M.W. Anderson Scholarship C/O Community Foundation of Jefferson County P.O. Box 306 Madison, Indiana 47250. Cards are also available at the funeral home or the Brown Gymnasium on the day of the service. Make An Online Memorial Donation To send a flower arrangement in memory of Myrwin "Red" W. Anderson, please click here to visit our sympathy store.