Michael John Anderson
Oct. 7, 1959-Dec. 25, 2024
Palo Alto, California

Michael “Mike” John Anderson, 65, completed a life well lived on Christmas night surrounded by his family in Palo Alto, California after battling a rare form of cancer. Born on October 7, 1959, in Bedford, Indiana, to Edna Jane Gulbrandsen and James Howard Anderson, Mike was the middle child of three boisterous boys. Mike’s slight stature in his youth concealed a large personality. He was quick to joke and usually surrounded by friends. He rode motorbikes through the open fields, learned to scuba dive in the limestone quarry, and wrestled for his high school team.

Mike stayed close to home for college, earning a B.S. in Marketing and Business from Indiana University, Bloomington in 1981, followed by a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis in 1984. He moved to Palo Alto following graduation and became one of the youngest partners at a Silicon Valley law firm. For over 30 years he served on the Board of Directors of the Palo Alto Housing Corporation, creating affordable housing for families on the Peninsula. He was a compassionate and attentive leader with mischief in his eye and a ready smile.

Mike was a captivating storyteller. His favorite audience members were his two children, Beck (21) and Makee (23), who he shared with his wife of 24 years, Vanessa Gonzalez Anderson. Being a father was his greatest joy; he was patient and perceptive, offering gentle guidance but never orders. He gave his children the courage to explore and the tools to do so safely. He took them cliff jumping, surfing, scuba diving, and skiing, among other stunts.

Friends and family remember Mike as an untiring and trusted teacher. He coaxed loved ones out of their fear and into adventure, including teaching motorcycle riding and coaching soccer. He was a natural instructor who marveled at the beauty of the world and wanted to share his enthusiasm with anyone who would listen. Mike enjoyed rattling off facts about the ocean and his favorite place in the world: Kona, Hawai'i. He earned the nickname “Kona Mike” from friends and family. Anywhere in Kona, Mike could share an interesting bit of history or science gleaned from his 50-year history on the island.

Mike saw beauty in nature and good in people. His midwestern sensibilities compelled him to return things better than he found them and he lived his life with empathy for others and the world around him. His eagerness to share and teach others and to love and protect our environment lives on in everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Mike is survived by his children, Beck and Makee, his wife, Vanessa, his two brothers, Jim and Steve, and his 10 nieces and nephews.

As Mike would say to his children before bedtime, we love you more than all the sand on the beach and all the stars in the sky.