Long time Lakeside resident Ralph Anderson, born January 22, 1913, passed away March 4, 2008 in Sooner, Wisconsin. He lived near is daughter Robin and her husband Russel Laier. Ralph was born in San Pedro, New Mexico and had 11 siblings. His younger brother, Bill, in Oregon is the last surviving brother.
  Memorial services will be held March 30^th at 2:00pm at the Masonic Lodge, 695 Balantyne Street in El Cajon. Ralph was a member of the Lakeside Masons for 62 years before it merged with El Cajon. A lunch will be served following the services.
  Ralph married Shirley Strouse in 1934. In 1946 they "pioneered" by moving from Point Loma to Lakeside with son Rex age 9, and Stan age 7. They lived in a tent on the comer of Pinehurst and Eucalyptus Hills Drive while building their home in the middle of 22 acres.
  R.E. Anderson Water Well and Pump Company was started in 1945 in Point Loma. The company phone was a 15 person party line, Shirley ran the office. He and his brother hand dug wells using dynamite and lowering a bucket to remove the dirt and rocks. He later bought out his brother. In 1949 Ralph bought his first earth-boring auger. His work got a lot easier then. Over the years he drilled wells all over Blossom Valley and El Cajon when there were only vineyards and barley fields. Over the years he bought bigger and better equipment.
  The company changed names to R.E. Anderson, Inc., a general engineering company. Sons Stan and Rex joined forces with their Dad to run the business; they later took over the business. Ralph retired in 1976.
  Ralph became a charter and life member of the Lakeside Historical Society in 1985. He purchased and helped restore metal buildings for the Historical Society's museum in Lindo Lake Park. He also did restoration work on the 1896 Olde Community Church, home to the Historical Society. His last big projects were building a back porch, handicap ramp and block wall around the garden of the Historical Society.
  As a younger man Ralph "hoboed" across the USA at least twice. In 1935 he was chosen by the Ford Motor Company to drive vehicles across country to be shown at the Worlds Fair in San Diego.
  During the Great Depression he worked with the government W.P.A. program and helped pile drive for the foundation of the San Diego County Administration Building at 1600 Pacific Highway.

· 1960's: Sons Stan and Rex took over the family business.
· 1984: Ralph and Shirley celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary
· 1994: Ralph received the "Citizen Of The Year" award from the Lakeside Chamber or Commerce. He was nominated by the Historical Society.
· 1996: When Ralph was 83 years old he received the Award of Honor by the Congress of History.
· 2000: Wife, Shirley, passed away at age 86.

  Surviving family members include: His brother Bill; sons Rex and Stanley; Grandchildren Lisa, Rex Jr., Terri, Adrienne, Eric and Julia; and, 16 Great Grandchildren.

Since 1945 Anderson Drilling has been drilling holes in all types of soil and rock conditions. What started as a small operation that hand-dug water wells, has grown into a finely tuned organization that has installed some of the largest drilled shafts in the world. Through the innovation, hard work, and vision of its founder, Ralph Anderson, and its current owner, Stan Anderson and his dedicated staff, Anderson Drilling has become a leader in the drilled shaft foundation industry.