Hall of Fame
Because of World War II accelerated schedules at RPI and interrupted tenure for service, Anderson's athletic career at Rensselaer was somewhat unique. While acquiring his Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, he participated on a varsity level intercollegiate sport every season he was on campus, but was limited to four fall and only two spring seasons. He made the most of those opportunities with four years off football (1944, 1946-48), track in 1947 and lacrosse in 1948, his two spring seasons.
He also rounded out his winters on a 1944 intercollegiate boxing team and, after the war, with indoor track. He was a starter on the 1947 football team that beat Union 33-24 before the largest crowd ever to witness an athletic event on '86 Field, and a midfielder on the 1948 lacrosse team that went to the Olympics in England.
In addition to athletics involvement while a student at RPI, Anderson was also involved in student government, serving as class president as a junior and class secretary as freshman. He was inducted into Olympia and Phalanx while also serving as Tau Beta Pi president and Alpha Tau Omega vice president and secretary. He was also a part of Sigma Xi and Phi Lamda Upsilon.
After graduation, Anderson maintained his interests in athletics as a coach, referee, and supporter. From 1949 through 1952, he was the freshman football backfield coach at RPI.
He has continued his interest in RPI Athletics by taking a leadership role in developing Harkness Field and renovating and upgrading the old North Field practice facility. In recognition of his support of RPI Athletics, North Field was re-named Anderson Field in honor of Dick and his wife, Pat.
A native of Albany, New York, and a graduate of The Albany Academy, Anderson holds three chemical engineering degrees from Rensselaer. In addition to his bachelor's, he completed his master's in 1951 and his doctorate in 1953.
