David Lauri Anderson Obituary

David Lauri Anderson

Mount Pleasant - David Lauri Anderson, 88, of Mount Pleasant, SC, and Banner Elk, NC, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, surrounded by his family.

His memorial service will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church, 2107 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, SC, on April 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

David was born in Queens, NY, on December 4, 1937, to Lauri Johann Anderson and Sallie Cheavens Anderson.

David served as an officer in the U.S. Army Infantry and Intelligence with the 101st Airborne Division, attaining the rank of Captain. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Russian Studies from Dartmouth College in 1959, his Master's degree in French from Michigan State University in 1965, and his Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968. He taught foreign languages at Penn State University, the University of Denver (DU), and the State University of New York at Oneonta (SUCO). Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Foreign Language Department at DU and Dean of Liberal Arts at SUCO. David was fluent in five languages and had working conversational skills in several others.

An avid outdoorsman, he thrived in the White Mountains, Adirondacks, Catskills, Blue Ridge Mountains, Rockies, and Alps. He loved to hike, camp, ski, and canoe, often communing with God and nature alongside his family, friends, and colleagues. He was actively involved in Rotary International and served as President of the Oneonta chapter. He and his wife Carolyn hosted many foreign exchange students and visiting foreign professors.

David loved literature, poetry, and baseball-especially his beloved New York Yankees. He was active in his churches, including Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Laurens, NY, and All Saints Lutheran Church in Mount Pleasant, SC, where he sang baritone in the choir and served as a deacon and member of the church councils. An avid guitarist and banjo player, music was a central theme of his life. He swam a mile each day into his mid-80s and enjoyed SCUBA diving, shag dancing, playing tennis, and shooting firearms. David was an Army paratrooper, and a privately licensed pilot. His passion for French culture and fine wine led him to membership of the prestigious "Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lauri and Sallie Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Langtry Anderson; his children, Matthew (Suzana, Beth), Kaarin (Bill), and Jason (Tracy); his brother, Mark Anderson (Eleanor); his sister, Karin Church (Garet); his grandchildren, James (Jessica), Joshua (Iris), Michael, Anneli, and Sofia; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Saints Lutheran Church, 2107 North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466; Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, 420 College Ave, Banner Elk, NC 28694; or Saint Matthews Lutheran Church, 125 Main St, Laurens, NY 13796.

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