Augusto Anderson

Augusto H. Anderson, age 68, of Atwater, died Sunday afternoon, April 26, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Church of St. Patrick in Kandiyohi. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Atwater. www.petersonbrothers.com
Born on July 2nd, 1946 to Andrea and Riley Anderson in Siuna, Nicaragua, Augusto H. Anderson entered this world. At the age of 5, his mother and family moved to Puerto Cabezas for an opportunity to attend school with the Christian Brothers. He continued his education in Bluefields, Nicaragua where he obtained his high school diploma and earned a scholarship to study in the United States. In 1967, he began his academic career at St. Mary's College in Winona, MN where he earned a degree in linguistics, while residing with the Watkin's family. During his Summers he worked on the college grounds to earn some extra money. After graduating, he returned to his home country in 1972 to teach at the high school in Puerto Cabezas. He taught for one year, then returned to the States to marry Margaret Anderson in 1973 and she followed him back to Nicaragua. He taught an additional year in Nicaragua, then because of the political climate of the country he opted to return to the States and settle permanently. Then he attended St. Cloud State in 1974 where earned his certification in teaching English and Spanish. He was hired in 1975 by Atwater Junior/Senior high school to teach English and Spanish. Shortly after, he was teaching Spanish full time.
On October 10th, 1984 he became a US Citizen casting his first vote that November. He was always involved in the school and local community. He worked with Community Ed teaching English as a Second Language and Citizenship classes to the area's immigrant population. He also taught Spanish and served as an interpreter to local law enforcement bridging cultural understanding gaps. Augusto was an active member of the Lion's Club, the Minnesota Education Association, the National Education Association and the Democratic Farmer Labor party. He also taught CCD classes at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and coached youth sports including soccer, softball, volleyball, and basketball.
His teaching career at ACGC spanned 32 years. He retired from teaching May 29th, 2007. He devoted his life to his family and education. He loved reading, traveled widely in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Central America. He enjoyed providing opportunities for students to explore cultures, including trips to Mexico and local events like the Festival of Nations. He had strong faith and an extraordinary heart for giving. For entertainment he enjoyed music, photography and Western films.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Atwater; three children, Amy (and Steve) Elskamp of Atwater, Richard (and Elisabeth) Anderson of Silver Springs, Maryland and Kent (and Risa) Anderson of Rice and seven grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Miriam Anderson of Managua, Nicaragua and Rosie Anderson of Bluefields, Nicaragua; and three brothers, Anthony (and Yony) Anderson of Managua, Nicaragua, Peter Anderson of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua and Jose Anderson of Bluefields, Nicaragua, besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.