The AA NEWS tonight contains an obituary for Donald Anderson, the Director of EMU’s office of Access Services. He died Dec. 25 at his home in Ypsilanti. As the obituary states, “His life’s passion was working for full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. His career involved helping to provide access to higher education for individuals with disabilities.” Don was a terrific person – warm, goodhearted, smart and helpful. Many times he helped students of mine. He got around in a wheelchair. He was always a pleasure to talk to, and energetic and well informed. I consider him one of the giants of our campus, and i am saddened by his death. Far too young. But without a doubt, Don Anderson made a real difference in this world, and at EMU, and he leaves a record of accomplishments. Accomplishments to remember, and to build on. Farewell, Don!
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Very sad to hear this, Don was definitely a great man and made a huge difference at EMU.
I write to honor the memory of Don Anderson.
Don was indeed a gifted colleague who was deeply committed to equality for all people.
While his professional expertise centered on people living with disabilities, he considered it a core part of his professional responsibilities to both understand and to hold himself responsible to cultural competencies inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, economic background and more.
When asked Don would speak freely of the diving accident that took away his freedom of movement. He would talk about his decision to live, and the profound personal, professional, and environmental barriers that one must face to live fully from the seat of a power chair.
Without fail, he would acknowledge personal friends who died all to early because the strain of economic barriers, transportation complications, personal assistance challenges, and constantly educating others that “universal accessibility – benefits us all” had simply become too much.
Don took on the challenge of leading EMU’s ACCESS office with professional expertise, vision, and passion. I hold close the years that we worked together and the many conversations that have taken place since.
It was one of Don’s dreams to be a part of a business venture which would include a warm sunny beach, universally accessible housing, great food, and an eclectic and vibrant community.
Don, may you find the part of heaven that is indeed warm and sunny, may the food be great, the drink meet your thirst, the dancing last all night……and may Bob Dylan be playing softly in the background.
With love and respect,
Kathleen
I am proud to have called Don Anderson a mentor, colleague, and friend. His lively wit, candor and compassion made him “one of the good guys” at EMU. Don and I worked four offices apart, and our daily morning rituals began at the first sound of his motorized scooter coming down the hall. I would typically call out “hey slow down – the speed limit is 25″ to which he would reply with some choice language telling me where to go. We shared morning coffee, jokes and ideas about making EMU more inclusive. Sometimes we debated politics, disected literature, and waxed philosophic. Sometimes we shared candy bars and joked about snowball fights. But mostly – we talked about life and making a difference with the time we had on earth.
EMU has lost a legend, but the hope, humor and honor that he shared with this institution and community will testify to his success. Shine on, my friend – see you on the other side.
There’s a memory page for Don at http://www.niefuneralhomes.com, for those who’d like to sign his guestbook or share memories of
Don. Such expressions will i am sure mean a lot to his family.
Thanks Raven for sharing your memories of Don here. He was such a funny person!
I’ve spent a lot of time today recalling many, many students today who Don provided invaluable help and guidance for. No doubt, many of them would never have graduated without his aid and advice. He could tell students what they needed to do, and point them in the right directions, and follow up. A mentor, indeed. An educator. A lost treasure for humanity.