Sad news, friends. We've lost Sneaks.

Da Nag

Da Nag

Administrator
Staff member
C-Brat Friends,

We've suffered a great loss.

Don Anderson (a.k.a. "Sneaks"), my good friend and many of yours, unexpectedly passed away last night. I just got off the phone with his wife Mary, who fortunately remembered my name and found my number in his cell phone. Mary asked that I let all of you know of his passing, and she will forward information regarding his upcoming memorial service in the coming days.

I don't know what else to say - quite frankly, I'm in shock, and don't do very well with such things. I've many friends made throughout the years at the C-Brats, but Don and I were particularly good pals. Dana and I met up with him and Mary on several occasions, most recently when he spent the night at our place when coming to NorCal for his latest C-Dory acquisition. He was bright and chipper, keeping Dana and I on the edge of our seats with tales of his fascinating days in the Navy subs.

I've had near constant contact with Don over the last few years, sharing info about boats, RV's, and the numerous nerd subjects that fascinated us both. But, he was far more than a sounding board for such relatively trivial issues. We shared many a conversation about elder care, family issues, personal values, and just plain life in general. I simply don't do that with many people - I can pretty much count them on one hand.

Please feel free to chime in here with your thoughts and memories of our good friend. While Mary has likely never seen this place, I'll make sure she sees what's written. I'm sure she'll be touched, and hopefully given some strength from any display of good memories or thoughts any of you share.

RIP, Sneaks. I miss you greatly, my friend.

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Wow! What a shock! Don was one of my funny friends with a great sense of humor and a deep understanding of not only boating and electronics, but of life in general, and those things including friendships that make it worthwhile.

My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, and to his extended family.

We'll all miss him sadly.

Joe. :rose :rose :rose
 
Oh my. Just traded PMs with him earlier this week about the trip to SBS 11. What a loss for all of us and especially his family. Our heart goes out to them. RIP Don. Life is precious, you never know. :love :cry:

Here was his last post, helping others to the end...

"



Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Posts: 2021
City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

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Use 600 wet/dry grit followed by 1000 wet/dry grit followed by rubbing compound. Doctor Bob is the absolute best authority on that so if he differs from my technique definitely follow his lead.

I would also consider starting out with 400 grit on the worse ones and working through to 1000 using PLENTY of water. I have several spots on the C-Brat that will be getting "the treatment" real soon now.

It doesn't take a lot of muscle so go slowly and use a rubber sandpaper block or something that's really flat. Pep boys sells a little sanding "kit" with a nice small block and various wet/dry grits 400-1000 I think. Cheap and works great in small areas. Look for it in their paint and sanding product area.

Don
 
“We're all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth 'til death. We travel between the eternities.“
Prentice Ritter

This news saddens us all, even those of us that only knew Don from posts and photos. Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.

John
Swee Pea
 
Wow... To even think about Don one has to think of submarines and service to country and friends. Not sure when or which Seattle Boat Show gathering it was that I met Don....among the many that show up for those early day events, but, I can see by some personal photo's that he and Chris took the time to launch their boats and meet me and my wife Sherryl on 21Oct04 for a great lunch and afternoon personal tour of San Diego Bay area. Of course, we had to get a pic of Don aboard Jenny B with the submarine of years gone bye in the background....and go over for a look at the USS Regan which was just about to be commisioned. Looking at times past and our future. Then, less than a week ago I get an email from Don which was an insperational video of a mute young lady at a horse show, dedicating her ride to her Father who she had lost just 44 days prior to that show... Intesting and will send this video to anyone....as she is mute, riding bare back, not even a blanket, no bit or bridal... just her and the horse. Now, the sound bed for this insperational ride was "Live Like You Are Dying." Timely now I think.

I will for sure never forget Don and his fun, uplifting and informative emails, or him taking those hours to make our visit to San Diego Bay a wonderful day.

So Don, Cheers Brother!!! :beer :beer
As you exit left, there is a mix of TAPS and Live Like You Are Dying."

Here Here.

Byrdman

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One of my recent e-mail exchanges with Don concerned SBS11. He had reservations and said..

"Damn I wanna get out of town. These little 2-3 day micro trips aren’t my cuppa tea. Especially driving 550 miles in one day ‘cause it takes me a couple of days to shed the stress of LA traffic. Yet another Bleah.

Lookin forward to meeting ya Charlie. I have you and Les on my bucket list.

Don"

That was just before he went to pick up his new 16. Guess he finally made it out of town.... :cry: :unlove

Glad to have been on his bucket list, sorry he didn't get to do it. We will all miss him..If Seawolf Joe and I and Dusty can get together at SBS11 we'll raise a glass or two to him. :beer :beer

Charlie
 
A sad day for the C-Brat family. His wit and wisdom will be missed. A toast to you tonight, Don, and thoughts and prayers for your family.

Condolences,
Jim and Joan B.
 
My most sincere condolences to Mary and his family. Prayers for comfort and strength for them.

The C-Brats have lost a brother. Though I never met him, I did follow his posts and enjoy his humor. There was always a twinkle in his post, and a readiness to share or help. What a great guy. He will be missed here for sure.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
We may be new to the Brats, but we will keep his family in our prayers and we are very sorry for their loss.

God Bless and look over his family.

Kevin and Randi Gray
 
He will be missed. I've traded emails with him on several occasions.
A great sense of humor, and an overall good person.

May you rest in peace, Don Anderson.
 
shocked and saddened. I enjoyed trading barbs with
Don over our Navy-Marine differences. We exchanged many email's and post over the years and almost meet in San Diego when my son was in boat camp. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his family.
 
Truly unbelievable....we extend our condolences to his wife and family.

It is another shocking reminder of how precious and fragile life really is. Wow...I'm at a loss for words. Rest In Peace Don.
 
Don and I had this little running gag going here, "Uncle" and "Little Nephew," since we both were named Anderson. Of course Don was not actually my uncle, but we had quite a few PM exchanges on a wide variety of subjects, including most recently the "how to" of self-publishing, since he was quite experienced with Mary's book. Patty and I had the pleasure of hosting "Uncle Don" at the Crab Palace at Birch Bay once, it was a very wonderful evening. We will both definitely miss "Uncle Don's" wit, wisdom and humor...
 
I am sorry to hear about his passing and express my sadness

We exchanged emails about San Diego earlier when I was planning a business trip and was hoping to met him

At a time lost, I think of this saying

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy

Author Unknown
 
Anchors Aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh.. until we meet again, here's wishing you a happy voyage home.


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MartyP
 
Over the years Don and I communicated via pms and I enjoyed his candor and humor. Several years ago (I believe it was the first Bellingham gathering), I knew in advance that he was going to sneak in on the gathering. He walked out on the dock just before dinner at Anthony's and we met in person for the first time.
I am in total shock just now logging on to the site and reading this news.

Last December after my cardiac event he pm'd me with the following words of encouragment ....."I'll look for you at the Senior Olympics".

So Don, I'll see you at the Senior Olympics but they won't be held where we expected them to be.... :shock:

Mary, Thank you for sharing Don with us! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. :love
 
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