Hunt Anderson

Hunt survived physical challenges in his life, beginning with his premature birth at 3 lbs on Sept 14, 1945, in NYC.  He was the proud son of a self-educated Scottish glassblower and a proper English mother, who met in the US during the Depression.  He and his older sister Sylvia grew up in Madison, NJ.  As a teenager Hunt enjoyed hanging out with his father’s research colleagues at the labs, and he spent evenings working with his dad in their basement workshop creating scientific apparatus to ship around the world.  He also played clarinet in a dance band and was active in Boy Scouts during high school.

Hunt graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, majoring in Physics.  He taught secondary school science for a few years and then moved to Boston, where he worked part time as a plumber, installing dishwashers. He founded Project Alternatives to address the needs of young adults whom he felt the churches were not reaching. 

In Boston Hunt met Elizabeth, he taught her to play the guitar, and they married a year later. They renovated a basement apartment in exchange for rent, and took a 2 month summer trip around the west, in a big blue van which Hunt outfitted for camping.

After Hunt’s grad school at Cleveland State, they moved to Virginia in 1977.  Darin was 3 and Kristin a newborn when Hunt began a large addition to their handyman special while working full-time. He did most of the work himself with the help of a high schooler. The large screen porch was completed in 1985, with a communal porch-raising.

Hunt worked for the Navy as an Education Specialist, and later moved to the Coast Guard as Director of Boating Safety Education.  He created videos and Public Service Announcements to highlight Boating Safety, and worked with many Water and Boating officials across the country.  At the Coast Guard, he started a jazz band with friends, playing the saxophone.  They eventually gained recognition and played for official Headquarters functions.

Hunt retired with disability after systemic scleroderma attacked his body in 1998.  Once again, he beat the odds by surviving, and very gradually recovered over 5 years with incredible support from friends and the John Calvin community.  Eventually the swelling in his fingers decreased and he was able to play guitar again.  For the last several years, he has been an enthusiastic member of several musical groups including The Sunshine Gang, his Wednesday night group, and regular community jam sessions with CABOMA and SOJO.

Service was a hallmark of Hunt’s life.  For many years he was a house captain for Rebuilding Together and an ACCA furniture warehouse volunteer.  During his retirement, he taught low-income students computer skills at Computer CORE and guitar lessons through Music for Life.

He quietly helped many neighbors, family, and friends with practical projects, often with unconventional and creative solutions. Hunt loved his family, music, nature and helping others.