A Tribute to a Colleague, a Professional, and a Friend
Robert (Bob) Anderson, 52, of Staunton, Va., passed away September 6, 2008.
Approximately 10 years ago, I attended my first Central VA ASHI Chapter meeting. As I sat there, feeling sort of like an outcast listening to inspectors all around the room talking, Bob Anderson came over, introduced himself and gave me a warm welcome. Later, he sat down next to me and started talking. Within minutes, I came to the following conclusions:
First, Bob was a true professional and an advocate for ASHI. Second, he was a man who cared about the home inspection industry. Third, he genuinely cared for others. It was Bob’s demeanor and professionalism that influenced me to join ASHI. He became a mentor to me as well as many others. Still today, I think if Webster’s Dictionary had a picture beside the definition of a “home inspector,” Bob would be a good fit. He brought professionalism to the inspection industry and volunteered his time to serve it as education chair, secretary, vice-president and president of the Central VA ASHI Chapter. Later, he was the president of the Blue Ridge Chapter. In addition, Bob served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Real Estate Inspectors. He shared his suspicions about his incurable disease in the September 2007 issue of the ASHI Reporter, where he urged inspectors to protect themselves from airborne contaminants. He genuinely cared for his fellow inspectors, which this article clearly reflects.
Bob’s faith, demeanor and spirit throughout his courageous fight with cancer made an everlasting impression on me. In his final days, partially paralyzed, in debilitating pain, I never once heard him complain about what life had dealt him, but only how blessed he was to have his family and friends, and the privilege to work and live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, which he often referred to as “God’s country.”
Bob often talked about his inspection experiences; he clearly loved his career choice. Although originally from the Richmond, Va., area, he began his home inspection career in St. Louis, joining ASHI in 1996. He relocated to the Shenandoah Valley, built a successful inspection business called “Inspector Homes, Inc.” and trained his son, Bronson, to carry on the business. I am a better inspector and a better person for having known Bob Anderson. I will surely miss him.
To Read the Full Article
ASHI offers its members unparalleled resources to advance their careers. ASHI offers training for inspectors at all levels of knowledge and experience, including resources about all major home systems. Members benefit from a vast network of experienced professionals, providing a community for mentorship and knowledge sharing..
In this Issue
FIND A HOME
INSPECTOR
Professional Networking
Grow your professional network, find a mentor, network with the best, and best part of the community that’s making home inspection better every day.
