Kevin D. Anderson, 47, Great Bend, formerly of Hays, died Jan. 28, 2016, from a brief but aggressive illness at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
     He was born Aug. 23, 1968, in Hays, the son of Richard G. and Judy Irene (Gaschler) Anderson. He graduated from Hays High School, attended Fort Hays State University, and got his degree from North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit. He was a welder at RANS in Hays for many years and was a machinist and toolmaker at KMW, Kansas Machine Works in Great Bend.  
     If man in measured by his open armed approach to the joy and fun of life, as well as to know how sincerely that man will be missed by so many whose lives he touched, then Kevin has earned excellent measure.  His large smile, his wonderful sense of fun and humor, his big heart, his outgoingness and perceptiveness, all represent the gratitude he felt for all that was given to him, especially the nine extra years to enjoy all the life that he treasured.
     His children were his pride above all other things.  His first real love, his oldest daughter, Brooke, and he were best friends.  Tatum, his second daughter and next real love, and then Keelon, his young son of whom he was so proud, treasured the many hours they spent with “Daddy” each week.  Tatum and her dad always sang songs together as he accompanied their singing on his other great love, his guitar.  Last summer they discovered a way to have a frugal night out by going to the car races in Great Bend.  What nights out that proved to be for all of them!  Kevin’s antennae were always keen to a good day for walleye or anything else biting, or friendship with his longtime and best friend, Patrick Toepfer.  His AA friends in Great Bend helped him over many, many rough patches that no others could understand.  Thank God for them.
     Survivors include his parents, of the home in Hays; two daughters, Brooke Gilkerson of Hays and Tatum Anderson of Great Bend; a son Keelon Anderson of Great Bend; two sisters, Jennifer Anderson of Hays and Adrienne Nusser of Salina; and numerous aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Winifred Gaschler and Jennie and Einar Anderson; two uncles, Donnie Gaschler and Robert Riney; and an aunt, Jean Gaschler.
     Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to an education fund for Kevin’s children, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home*
1906 Pine Street
Hays, KS 67601
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 31, 2016