Russell Anderson, who served as an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1998 to 2006 and as chief justice from 2006 to 2008, died Tuesday of brain cancer. He was 78.
“Chief Justice Russell Anderson will be remembered with fondness and respect for his compassion, dedication and commitment to ensure that every Minnesotan has equal access to justice,” current Chief Justice Lorie Gildea said in a statement. “While on the court, he led efforts to combat domestic violence, promote problem-solving courts that focus on rehabilitation, and enhance public access to court information,”
Anderson, a native of Bemidji, graduated from Bemidji High School in 1960. A graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, he earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota and later his Master of Laws degree from George Washington University.
He served in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the U.S. Navy in Washington and worked in private practice in Bemidji and as the Beltrami County attorney before joining the Ninth Judicial District Court bench, where he also worked as chief judge until he joined the Minnesota Supreme Court as an associate justice in 1998 appointed by Republican Gov. Arne Carlson.
He was named to the chief position in 2006 by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty after Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz left the high court. He served as chief justice until 2008.
In 2019, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz declared Oct. 28, 2019, to be Russell Anderson Day to recognize Anderson’s “substantial contribution” to the judiciary and the state of Minnesota.
In the proclamation, Walz wrote about Anderson’s accomplishments and dedication saying, “Chief Justice Anderson was a quiet and collaborative leader who lived and breathed the Minnesota Supreme Court’s tradition of collegiality, respect, and camaraderie among the Justices, inspiring and training his law clerks who incorporate these lessons in their own careers as judges, deans, private practitioners, and civic and community leaders.”
Anderson is survived by his wife, Kristin; children, Rebecca Schmitz, John Anderson and Sarah Harriss; two granddaughters; and two step-grandsons.
Funeral services will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. Sept. 24 from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., in Minneapolis. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Gill Brothers Minneapolis Chapel, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., in Minneapolis.
This report includes information from the Forum News Service.
