From his youth in the remote mountains of Tennessee on the northern border of the Cumberland Plateau to his career and retirement in upstate South Carolina, Dr. Anderson's memoir takes us on an awesome journey from his earliest memories and humble beginnings to a fulfilled life achieved by his commitment to his faith and the "pursuit of excellence" in everything he does. He entices the reader with his jewels of wisdom, beliefs and blessings as he weaves his way through the adversities and divine detours of a rewarding life, championed by a compassionate and tolerant wife and influenced by a number of supportive and inspiring mentors along the way. From the beginning he charges boldly into the issues of circumstances, choices, interdependence, uniqueness and diversity and leads us on an inspiring trip through social and spiritual maturity into the resulting faith, hope and dreams of a disciplined and reflective life. Robert Anderson grew up in the mountains of Tennessee on the remote northern edge of the Cumberland Plateau. Orphaned at an early age, he worked his way through high school and the University of Tennessee where he received a B.S. in Engineering Physics and an M.A. and PhD in Applied Mathematics. In addition to several years in academia, teaching at U. T., The College of William and Mary and The University of S. C. at Spartanburg, he spent over three decades in Operations Research and Marketing Research at Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, SC. He has been fulfilled with an exciting career in academia and industry, blessed with a marvelous wife and family, richly inspired by his involvement in the Lay Ministry of the United Methodist Church, and sustained through life's valleys by his faith and determination.
