Herman L Andersen

Dr. Herman L. Andersen, 100, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, July 30. 2011, in a local health facility. He was born in Kansas City, MO, on June 16, 1911, and grew up in Miami, FL, from childhood. He obtained a DDS degree at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, in 1937. He joined the Navy in World War II as a pilot and flew the trans US – South Pacific routes as captain of a four engine seaplane. He also served as a flight instructor. Dr. Andersen established a dental practice after the war in Miami, FL, and treated patients until retirement in 1987. He became involved with a group of individuals including physicians, nurses, ministers and businessmen from the Miami area Seventh-day Adventist Churches to establish a hospital now known as Hialeah Hospital. Dr. Andersen served continuously on the Hialeah Hospital Board for 35 years, most of that time as its Chairman. They raised funds to buy a Coast Guard Weather Station on 79th Street, now east 25th Street, in Hialeah, FL. Dr. Andersen served continuously on this board for over 35 years, most of that time as its Chairman. He led in establishing the corporate entity, Associated Medical Institutions (AMI), to expand the vision of the Board to include other locations and facilities including another hospital in Corona, CA. His efforts within Hialeah were recently commemorated by the hospital and the city on his 100th birthday which was designated “Dr. Herman Andersen Day”. Dr. Andersen maintained a continuing interest in other community activities, such as aviation. He was active in the South Florida Pilots Association and helped reestablish the Miami Air Races during the post war years. He also participated in the planning of the reopening of the Opa Locka Airport for civilian use and participated in the planning of many private aircraft excursions in the Caribbean, including numerous trips to Cuba in the post war era. In his dental profession, he was active in the South Florida District Dental Association and volunteered his dental skills for decades at the University of Miami Cleft Palate Clinic. He was active in his home church, Miami Temple Seventh-day Adventist church, particularly in the support of high quality education for young people. Dr. and Mrs. (Eva) Andersen moved from South Florida to Cleveland, TN, in 2004, to be near their two children. They recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. Survivors include his wife, Eva Johnson Andersen; two children: daughter, Daryl Chesney and husband Richard of Cleveland, TN, and son, Howard Clayton Andersen and wife Joni of Ooltewah, TN; four grandchildren: Douglas Mayberry of Rockford, IL, Doreen Mayberry Frost and husband Paul of Harrison, TN, Matthew Andersen and wife Tracey of Hixson, TN, and Marissa Andersen Parker of Fayetteville, GA; four great-grandchildren: Austin Mayberry, Brett Frost, Brandon Frost, and Eva Parker; special nieces Patti Schmidt and Lynda Gerath, and step-grandson Duane Chesney and wife Nancy. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, conducted by Pastor Dwight Herod of Bowman Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:30 pm at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Advent Home for Boys in Calhoun, TN or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Chattanooga. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.