Jon Alan Andersen

Jon Alan Andersen, age 82, of Las Cruces, N.M., died May 24, 2020, at Mesilla Valley Hospice. He was born March 13, 1938, in Fayette County, Iowa, to Holger and Viola Andersen.

Jon grew up in Strawberry Point, Iowa. He graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in 1956. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and his doctorate in biochemistry from University of Colorado in Denver in 1964.

He married Rosemary Christensen in 1961, and they had three children. They were married for nine years and lived in Sherburne, N.Y.

Jon had a successful career in pharmaceutical development with Proctor and Gamble in Norwich, N.Y. There he met Barbara Bensko, and they were married in 1974.

He retired at the age of 55. He and Barbara loved the climate and charm of Las Cruces, and moved there to live out their retirement years in 1994.

Jon loved the outdoors, and in his youth, he enjoyed hunting, sailing, skiing and motorcycling. He had an exceptionally intense, disciplined and active mind. He was an avid reader who studied history, economics and politics. In his later years, he enjoyed walking in his neighborhood. He loved and appreciated his many neighbors.

Jon was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara. He is survived by his sister, Jane Johanos, his three children, Tina Andersen-Wahlberg and husband Mark, Craig Andersen and wife Ari, Eric Andersen and wife Christine, and three grandchildren, Aaron, Oscar and Vivienne.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.