It is with deep appreciation for the work of Rev Elmer G. Anderson at McMaster Divinity College that we announce that he has gone to be with his Lord on November 30, 2015.
Elmer was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to be one of six children. In spite of the “dirty thirties” of western Canada, he always spoke of a happy home life. And he was to find great joy in the presence of a young lady, who would become a teacher, Margaret “Peggy” Carter. At 18 he joined the Canadian Army to serve in World War II, receiving his discharge in the spring of 1946 to work at International Harvester, again exercising his mechanical bent.
Sensing his call to other service, Elmer was granted a License to Preach from First Baptist Church, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1946. That fall he began studies at McMaster University, graduating B.A. B.D.in 1952. He served Baptist Churches at Humber Blvd, Toronto, 1949 -1952, Emmanuel, Saskatchewan 1952-54 (where he was ordained September 17, 1952), Neepawa, Manitoba, 1954-59, “Wellington St” then “United Baptist,” Sault Ste. Marie 1959-69, Dundas 1969-82, and Burlington 1982-89. He left Burlington to serve as Director of Field Education at McMaster Divinity College 1989-91 and, in his retirement, served as Director of The Centre on Religion and Aging at The College 1995-2003.
Elmer and Peggy, his long-time sweetheart, married August 11, 1950 in Prince Albert, raised three daughters (all born in the mid-west), Carolynne, Dianne and Yvonne (deceased 2010), and celebrated the birth of their 15th great-grandchild only 4 days before Elmer’s death. The family had gathered in Dundas this August to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. Peggy was always an integral part of their church ministry. Sadly, Elmer did not awaken from a peaceful sleep the morning of November 30th.
Throughout his career Elmer was valued as a good-natured friend, pastor, Camp Counsellor and Director, contributor to Committees and Boards of the Baptist Convention of Ontario & Quebec, as a mentor and group counsellor/moderator to students and clergy peers, and in the Dundas and Burlington areas as Santa Clause. His life was full and lived with meaning. He will be greatly missed.