Tribute Page for Kermit Anderson

Kermit Anderson

Kermit C. Anderson: Walking Together

Kermit C. Anderson made the most of his lunch hour. Almost every day, for half an hour or so, he would descend from his 93rd floor office at the World Trade Center and walk, usually along the Hudson in Battery Park City, gazing out toward New Jersey. He loved places where the boundaries come together: city and river, humanity’s creation and nature’s.

Mr. Anderson, 57, a systems analyst at Marsh Inc., was a math major at Pennsylvania State University who married another Penn State math major, the former Jill Grashof. Together, the Andersons, who lived in Green Brook, N.J., walked for 36 years of married life.

Last year, for their 35th anniversary, they walked the mountains of British Columbia. Deposited every morning by helicopter with a guide, they would hike all day and arrive in the evening at a lodge in time for dinner and a soft bed.

"He probably would have camped, but for me he would stay in lodges with running water and lights," Mrs. Anderson said.

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I knew Kermit Anderson back in 1985 when he was my boss along with Jon Albert, Melissa Wender and Steven Sweeney. I was their lead secretary. The couple of years that I worked for them had fond memories. I enjoyed working with Mr. Anderson. He was a man of respect, kind and most of all a hard working man. They had their moments but they also gave us good laughs. I respected him very much as I also did to Mr. Albert, Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Wender. The last I saw Mr. Anderson was when we worked at 1221 Avenue of the Americas. When I resigned from my position and went on to bigger adventures, Mr. Anderson told me "enjoy your new life with your new husband and my very best to you and your future". I thanked him and gave him a hug.

The day of this terrible tragedy, I was working and my co-worker ran to my room and told me the news. As I ran to the waiting room, at the clinic where I worked, I watched in horror the tragedy that was happening in NYC. I immediately turned to my prayers. I cried and cried as I have many friends back home who worked at the WTC. When I learned of those who lost their lives I just wept. It was even harder when I learned that two of my former colleagues died. I prayed for their safe return but our hopes were shattered. Till this day, I still can't believe it. Everyday I pray for their families and think of them and I hope that God consoles each and everyone of them and remind them that they died innocently but are now in a better place with our Lord.

Mr. Anderson may you shine bright wherever you are. Your smile and the fond memories you instilled in me will always be cherised. You will always be in my prayers and in my heart. Thank you for being a mentor and may God keep you and Mr. Albert safe wherever you are. My prayers for you, your family and those you left behind.

With much respect,

Iliana Feliciano (Roldan) Ocala, Florida

Iliana Feliciano (formerly Roldan), 5/11/2002 9:47:18 PM

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