Judge Gene Anderson.
Eugene C. Anderson was born October 4, 1929, in Anacortes, Washington. He was the son of Irene (Hill) and Alvin Anderson. Although he was born in Anacortes, he spent his early childhood in Juneau, Alaska and later returned with his family in 1944.
Gene graduated from Anacortes High School in 1947 and attended the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1952. In 1957, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law at the University of Washington.
He began his law practice in Anacortes in the office of Leroy Todd and later branched out on his own, partnering with Steve Mansfield and later, James Anderson. Gene also served as a Municipal Court Judge in Anacortes and married many couples in his capacity as Justice of the Peace. From 1982 to 1994, Gene served on the Skagit County District Court bench. When he retired in 1994, he was the longest-serving district court judge in the state. During his career he won several awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington State Bar Association.
Gene was a member of the Washington State Bar Examiners Committee and served on the Anacortes School Board.
During his time in the Navy, Gene married his first wife, Katherine Anne Miller, and had three children: Scoot, Todd, and Katie. He later married Barbara M. (Knull) Mansfield and added her two daughters, Lisa and Lynn Mansfield, to the family. Gene spent his retirement years with his wife, working in his shop, going to the hardware store, and enjoying time with his grandchildren.
Gene passed away on June 3, 2009 in Anacortes, Washington.
