Obituary: Harold J. Anderson

Harold (Andy) Anderson, a Denver native, passed on Feb. 6, 2015 at the age of 81. As one of the pioneers of the Denver motion picture industry, he began his career in 1957 as the cinematographer/editor, general manager and production manager of Barbre Productions, later a division of Mullins Broadcasting.

He received his education during his enlistment in the Navy from 1953 to 1957 as a motion picture apprentice, aerial and still photographer. During his time at Barbre Productions, he worked with Jim Case, the motion picture director of KRMA (now Rocky Mountain PBS). Jim made a comment to Andy to “take that camera off the tripod and shop around.” Andy took that comment to heart and became well known for his hand-held motion picture camera work. He always gave Jim credit for that.

As his career in Denver progressed, he produced films for the Solar Energy Research Institute, the John Deere Farming Frontiers Programs, Skylab experiments, plant security and Space Shuttle progress reports for Martin Marietta, films for the U.S. Navy on cross-cultural communications in Japan, Spain and the Philippines, and a documentary on the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline.

One of the highlights of his career was a KBTV special project on the art of Harry Jackson, a prolific painter and bronze sculptor. The film was made in Mexico and Italy, was narrated by John Wayne and won four major awards.

He also produced, photographed and edited hundreds of television commercials.

Andy Anderson never liked to blow his own horn and remained only moderately impressed with his considerable achievements, well illustrated in the name of the independent company formed with a couple of his colleagues, Another Production Company. He liked coaching little league, baseball and hockey and was known for his fairness to all of his players, insisting that no kid ever sat on the bench during his games. He loved the Broncos from the get go and was a fan of the Denver Bears baseball team and the Colorado Rockies.

Most evenings found him on the front porch of his Centennial home gazing at the sunset.

His funeral was held at Fort Logan National Cemetery where he received full military honors. He is survived by his wife, Geri Anderson, and his children: Theresa Rose, Paul, Mark, Tim and Amy Anderson. Grandchildren include Gwyneth Rose and Ty Anderson.

The passing of the family patriarch has left a major gap in the family fabric. He will be sorely missed.