Reverend Robert E. "Bro. Bob" Anderson

Reverend Robert E. "Bro. Bob" Anderson obituary, Baton Rouge, LA

Robert Anderson Obituary

Reverend Robert E. "Bro. Bob" Anderson, founder of Louisiana's largest private school, Parkview Baptist School, and longtime pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, peacefully entered heaven on December 13, 2018. He was 84. From 1974 to 1996, he built Parkview Baptist from 1,000 to 5,000 members and in 1981 established the accredited Christian Parkview Baptist School. Bro. Bob met everyone with a warm smile, a kind heart, and loving words to heal broken relationships. He was present for the joys of marriage and birth, and the grief of death. He sincerely listened. Church work is among the most emotional and difficult but for 22 years he bridged troubled waters at Parkview to draw in hundreds of families seeking a home. "You're either entering a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm" was a common theme of Bob Anderson. "But there is no storm you can't weather with the loving Savior Jesus." Religion was not a crutch to Bob Anderson but an opportunity to reach potential. He was never rattled by trouble or jealousy. As a result, Parkview Baptist School has graduated thousands in faith, accomplishing academic and athletic titles almost every year for three decades. After he was born on April 29, 1934, in Shreveport, his mother Edith died of tuberculosis just eleven months later. Bob and his brothers were taken in by his paternal, Godly grandmother. When he was 17 in 1951, Bob went with his Fair Park High football team to hear a young evangelist named Billy Graham. "I went forward and gave my heart to Christ," he said later. "Jesus became very real to me." So real, in fact, he answered the call to become a minister. His team won the state championship the next year. This began a life of winning from winning the heart of his high school sweetheart, Rochelle Reeves, whom he married on April 10, 1955, to winning thousands of souls in numerous churches across Louisiana and Texas. He attracted others with humility and humor. He and Rochelle began their family with Robert, Susan and Janet. In 1957, Bob graduated East Texas Baptist University and received his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, later taking post-graduate psychology at Louisiana State University. In 1987, Florida's prestigious International Bible Institute honored Bob with a Doctor of Divinity degree. In 1953, Lone Oak Baptist in Harleton, Texas, became his first pastorate, then Parkhurst Baptist in Shreveport, an associate at Ingleside Baptist, Dixie Heights Baptist in Ft. Worth, and Ford Park Baptist in Shreveport though the turbulent 1960s. In 1969, the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation brought Bob, Rochelle, Robert, Susan and Janet to Baton Rouge as Associate Executive Director for youth evangelism. Amid Vietnam, gas lines, and the first resignation of a U.S. president, on October 15, 1974, Rev. Bob Anderson gave his first sermon as Parkview Baptist's eighth pastor. With exploding growth came a burgeoning Sunday School which created the need for classrooms. Bob thought it a waste to use classrooms one day a week and convinced a reluctant church governing board to establish a full-time Parkview Baptist School. In 1996, the Southern Baptist Convention elected him First Vice President as a peacemaker during doctrinal turmoil and strife. In 1997, Louisiana Baptists likewise elected him president. Bob was elected unanimously. Bob's gift of listening healed an entire convention, reminding everyone that the church could only succeed by letting the love of Christ prevail. "Love the things Jesus loved," he said, "the Father, prayer, teaching, the church and the Lost." Christ drew Bob forward in the same way fire preceded Moses. Bob Anderson started out with adversity so he wasn't surprised by it. He quickly found answers, not excuses. He would serve on many boards, including that of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In his last years, Bro. Bob founded "Antioch Affection Ministries" to help failed ministers get back on their feet and to embrace their disillusioned families. Bob Anderson helped salvage many pastors and many congregations simply by practicing what Christ admonished in the first place: love one another. In essence, one sermon on one night by a dairy farm boy named Billy Graham changed the course of a high school football linebacker in Shreveport who then changed the courses of thousands of lives and still does through Parkview Baptist School. Bob did all this through sheer belief and love for others. He wasted no time on material wealth. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rochelle Reeves Anderson; one son, Robert Anderson, Jr., and two daughters, Susan Anderson McKey and Janet Anderson Blankenship and husband Rev. Dane Blankenship; a brother, Larry Anderson and wife Helen; and nine grandchildren, Julie, Matthew, and Melissa McKey; Bobby, Reeves, Sawyer, Carlee, Preslee, and Allie Blankenship. Bro. Bob Anderson was preceded in death by his father and mother, Alvin and Edith Anderson; brothers Alvin Jr. and Billy Anderson; and mother- and father-in-law, Jewel and Russell Reeves of Shreveport. Visitation will be Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Parkview Baptist Church (11795 Jefferson Highway, BR 70816) followed by services at 2:30 p.m. By way of video, Bro. Bob Anderson will preach his own service as a last sermon in his beloved church. The sermon is aptly titled, "Finishing Well." Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Michael Girouard, Dr. Bob Peden, and Mr. Jim Rawlins. Officiating are Rep. Rick Edmonds and author Leo Honeycutt. Interment follows at Resthaven Garden of Memory. Donations may be made to the Bro. Bob Anderson Scholarship Fund at Parkview Baptist School. Bob always hoped that young recipients would be inspired to someday pay it forward for others. Donations can also be made to Antioch Affection Ministries.

Published by The Advocate from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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Bro. Bob always said that the greatest revival he was a part of was the March 1972 revival at First Baptist Church, Vinton, Louisiana. So at the time of this writing, along with 103 other souls, I was saved over that week 49 years ago. Bro. Bob was the evangelist and Mark Tullos was the music evangelist. Years later after seminary, I met him again when he led an associational meeting for pastors in Lake Charles. I reminded him of the revival and that I was saved--and that I was now a pastor. He called me one of his preacher boys. It was an unforgettable week--standing room only, extra chairs brought in, people standing outside just to listen, salvations every night, and God's people revived! I had never seen God move like that before or since, and I fear I may never see it again. He did the Knee-ology Seminar at my church years later and he told me stories about that Vinton revival that I had never heard. I will always remember him. I can still see him offering the invitation that night when I stepped out to make my profession of faith in Christ. I thank God for his memory and for how God used him that remarkable week. I'll get to see him again in heaven.

Mark Broussard

March 25, 2021

My sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your love one. May the God of comfort be with you during this sad occasion and may his loving words at John 6:40 console your heart.

Z L

December 18, 2018

Brother Bob baptized my Daddy, Stanley Graham, and preached his funeral. Both Daddy and Momma (Stanley and Neida) loved Brother Bob dearly. My son, Devin Dupuy, was the last person Brother Bob baptized at Parkview before his departure. He touched a lot of lives. My prayers are with you Rochelle, Robert, Susan and Janet. Brother Bob was a force to be reckoned with, no doubt.

Wanda Graham Dupuy

December 17, 2018

Greatest MAN I ever Lived to me and my family
Brother Bob baptized my mother and father
Claire and Eugene SIMS was my pastor in my youth
Married me , baptized my children
Brother Bob started the school where my son
Damon pitched PBS first LHSSA State champion ship
1989 , QB first LHSSA football play off team
When I got the word Brother Bob had passed
I was at grandparents day Friday morning at Parkview Baptist school
Where my grandchildren also go Gavin and Kinnsey
Mahler
It struck me Brother Bob lives on forever his dream
of a school and church that both glorified Jesus forever and ever
Brother Bob is my Billy Graham !
Love forever ans ever !

Gene Sims

December 16, 2018

He and Rochelle were marvelous Indians at Fair Park in the 1950's - and such special folks at Ford Park Baptist Church! Bob was a couple of years older than I but Rochelle and I were Fair Park graduates together - and my husband bought several boats from Mr. Reeves after our marriage in 1958. A lot of us attended the Billy Graham presentation at the Fair Grounds and a lot of Fair Parkers "went down" to the playing field at the conclusion of the event. My heart and love goes out to Rochelle and the entire Anderson family - all of you hold a special place in our hearts! We wish we could ease your pain - but as a widow of almost 24 years! - this is something that you will work through each day! Just know you are in our thoughts and prayers always!

Penny Claudis

Penny Claudis

Friend

December 16, 2018

I shall always rembember Bro Bob's white suits on Sunday morning. He has been a strong influence on my life especially in my later years. I am glad to have called him my friend even before he came to Parkview. He will be genuinely missed.Sincerely,Anthony (Tony) Whitehead

Anthony (Tony) Whitehead

December 16, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers for your family...wonderful,l memories.
Sammy and Jo David

Friend

December 16, 2018

Bro Bob was very special to us. He baptized our 3 children. Loved him. God bless his family.

Carol and lloyd East

December 16, 2018

My heart goes out to the family of Bro. Bob. He touched so many with kindness and his committed heart for the Lord. Not a day goes by that I do not hear the words of Bro. Bob share the best way to start our day by, dying to ourselves, so that our love of Jesus can be shown to others us.

For over 40 years Bro. Bob was a special part of my family's lives and will be forever grateful for his, guidance, and understanding he showed to in our joys and heartaches. The memories of him, his sermon notes and his love for our sweet Jesus will never be too far away. May God bestow him a crown with many sparkling gems, he so deserves.

I'm so sorry for your loss; memories and faith in the everlasting will help you during this time. His love will follow you, no matter how far. You're in my thoughts every step of the way.

Amy Foreman Plaisance

December 16, 2018

God speed Brother Bob. We have lost a great human being who made others better. Bob conducted our 25th Anniversary Renewal of Vows at Parkview which meant the world. We love and miss you!

Richard & Sandy Reina
Orlando, FL

December 16, 2018

RIP, Brother Bob. Thank you from generations of students for Parkview Baptist School.

Cheryl Wilks

December 15, 2018

Dear Rochelle, Zack and I have just learned about Bob's death. We are very saddened about your loss. We cherish our happy memories of our times with you and Bob. Praying for you and your family. Love, Nancy and Zack Pannell

Nancy Pannell

December 15, 2018

Love and prayers to the family! Honored to have had Brother Bob as pastor of our family for over 25 years! Awesome servant we loved him dearly!!

Judy & Wallace Coffey

Neighbor

December 14, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Robert Anderson

Dec

16

Visitation

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Parkview Baptist Church

11795 Jefferson Highway, LA 70816

Dec

16

Service

2:30 p.m.

Parkview Baptist Church

11795 Jefferson Highway, LA 70816

Funeral services provided by:

Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home - Baton Rouge

11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816

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