Former Alaska Rep. Charles “Chuck” G. Anderson Jr. passed away on March 30, 2022. He was 92. His services were Friday at Changepoint Church in Anchorage.
Rep. Anderson was born on Long Island, located 20 miles from Kodiak, where he and his family were the sole inhabitants. His mother was Russian and Aleut; his family brought a midwife to the 1,259-acre island when he was born on May 18, 1929. He spent his early years on Long Island, before the family moved to Kodiak when he was 7 or 8; they owned a mink farm and lived a subsistence life.
Long Island was, in 1941, home to a World War II coastal defense fort that was abandoned in 1947. The historic sites on the island are still somewhat visible under the moss, and there are some abandoned military roads. The island is now owned and protected by Leisnoi, Inc., a village corporation.
He began his lifelong dedication to public service with the United States Army during the Korean War. His law enforcement career started when he joined the Anchorage Police Department in 1953, moving up the ranks and serving as chief of police for the last seven years before retiring in 1980.
He was elected to the Alaska State House of Representatives, serving one term. He told a writer that being in partisan politics was not for him, and he didn’t like having to raise money.
Anderson served on the CIRI Board of Directors for nearly 30 years before retiring as chairman emeritus. He recently served on the Southcentral Foundation Board of Directors as vice chairman until his recent retirement. In his the Charles Anderson Scholarship Fund is being established by the CIRI Foundation for annual awards towards the law enforcement field of study.
Rep. Anderson was married to his wife, Georgia, for 70 years. They raised two children, Charlie and Patti. He is survived by his wife, Georgia, daughter, Patti Juliussen, grandson, Charles “Chas” Anderson IV, and granddaughter, Katrina Juliussen-Mack.
Gov. Dunleavy has ordered that Alaska and United States flags fly at half-staff between sunrise and sunset on April 8 in his honor.
Anyone notice that people are dropping like flies lately?
Man, it’s just not the month to be an elder statesman in Alaska…..
I worked with Chuck Anderson when he was in the Legislature. He was well-respected, particularly on criminal justice matters. He did not like the politics. He was a sharp and perceptive police officer and detective. He had essentially a third career at CIRI. He always had time for a meaningful exchange. He was a fair and good person and a complete Alaskan.
The stories he could have told. Condolences to his family.
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