Craig Lloyd Anderson (W9CLA) age 75, of Hudson WI, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Westfields Hospital in New Richmond, WI following a long and difficult battle with cancer. Craig is survived by Jerrene, his loving wife of 26 years.

Craig was born in Duluth MN to parents Roy and Lee Ann Anderson (deceased) and grew up in Excelsior, MN where his family moved when he was three years old. He graduated from Minnetonka High School before attending the University of Wisconsin – Stout where he joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity serving as their President in his junior year. Craig earned a B.S.E.T. degree and added a M.S. degree in 1993. He had a successful career in the semiconductor industry for 21 years including Intel, AMD and Honeywell. Craig and Jerrene moved to Menomonie, WI in1991 when Craig returned to Stout to complete his Ed.S degree while also teaching in Menomonie. In 1995, Craig and Jerrene settled in Hudson, WI and Craig became the Vice President of Administration at St. Paul College until his retirement in 2012.

Craig was a very patient, private and kind man who helped anyone in need, especially if it involved computers or radios. His lifelong passion was Ham radio which began when he was first licensed as a Ham operator while only in the 9th grade! (KN0AZB and later K0AZB). He remained very active in the Ham Radio community and achieved a lifelong goal of reaching 331worldwide contacts for the ARRL-DXCC Honor Roll, the pinnacle of DX achievement. Craig was a member of both ARRL (The National Association for Amateur Radio) and TCDXA club.

Craig had a vast amount of experience in debugging and refurbishing older tube-type receivers. He prided himself on a couple models that he had done repeatedly and he was an expert in those models. Craig had so much testing and analyzing equipment, that along with his patience and attention to detail, his finished product was more perfect than the original factory version.

He loved fixing anything techie! “I have a tool for that” was his famous mantra because he did have nearly every imaginable tool. Additionally, if you mentioned to him that you were looking for a particular item (especially if it were electronics), in no time (and unsolicited), he would have researched, found the best item at the best price, and emailed you the link where to purchase.

A man of extensive interests, in addition to his love of Ham radio, Craig enjoyed international cuisine and relished a good red wine. His music collection was immense and spanned many genres; his favorite was 50’s, 60’s and Blues, Folk, and old time radio. Craig was a skilled photographer, loved sports cars, boating, reading, any techie toys, and spending time at their cabin in Hayward, WI and their condo in Two Harbors, WI.

In his younger years, Craig spent many enjoyable times with friends downhill skiing, on ski trips, flying his plane, and hanging out with his pilot friends. He had a wickedly dry sense of humor which doubtless anyone he let into his inner circle discovered.

Craig will remain forever in the hearts of his wife Jerrene, stepchildren: Dominique Palks (Jeff Larson) and Steve (Tina) Palks. He will also be missed by cousins and families: Sally Parks, Bunny (Earl) Anderson, Lisa Olson, Sandra (Stuart) Schmid, Delores Roberson, Richard Kmieciak, Natalie (Charles)Stenger, as well as his many friends…. and of course, Ellie, his dog and faithful companion.

A Celebration of Life for Craig will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 1:30 – 5:00 pm at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN (952-939-8390).lease bring your memories, stories, photos, or memorabilia for sharing remembrances starting at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family, Stout Scholarship Fund in Craig’s name or The Shih tzu Rescue of MN.

Zoom link to watch live: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/71814376026?pwd=k5DtHe7X0CByjcCWclbzN8giJxstsG.1