Fischler Distinguished Alumnus Remembers a Life of Service to Americans who have been Struck by Tragedy

Lt. Colonel Robert C. Anderson, Ed.D., USAF (ret.), served thousands of individuals and organizations around the world in managing combat stress, supporting terminal individuals, and teaching physicians how to manage such situations with their patients.

Dr. Anderson, who earned his doctorate in health care education from NSU in 2000, responded to countless terrorist attacks and natural disasters around the world as a U.S. Air Force behavioral scientist for more than 20 years.

Dr. Anderson was one of the original behavioral scientists chosen to establish the behavioral medicine and bioethics components of Air Force Family Medicine Residency Programs. He assisted in the establishment and creation of numerous medical residency programs around the country, including NSU’s.

“As a child, I heard of the death of a girl who was my classmate at the time, who had died on a plane crash – and it hurt me so much. That is when I decided that I wanted to dedicate my time to helping people, dying folks, and training physicians on how to deal with them,” he said.

Lt. Col. Anderson has worked disasters and terrorist attacks during numerous deployments, including to Homestead Air Force Base in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, to Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and to Egypt, Somalia, and Kenya as a part of Operation Restore Hope. He responded to the terrorist bombing of the Marine compound in Beirut, the bombing of the Frankfurt Airport, and the fatal crash of a med-evac helicopter from the University of Utah Medical Center. He provided training in hostage recovery for personnel at the USAF Medical Center in Germany, who were tasked to bring hostages from Middle East captivity.

Dr. Anderson accomplished all of this and more, while working to earn one bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and two doctorate degrees throughout his life.

“I decided to attend NSU after years of service in the Air Force because I knew the doctorate program was very practical,” he mentioned. “Most dissertations are like moving old bones from one graveyard to another, but Nova was far from that. I wanted to meet some interesting people, and I sure did. I’m still in touch with my classmates,” he continued.

In his biography, Dr. Anderson remembers when President George H.W. Bush, recognized his work with victims of international terrorism, referring to him as a “quiet hero” and noted: “You’ve done wonderful work with terrorist victims, and your positive attitude is truly encouraging. I’m deeply grateful for your efforts to help Americans who have been struck by tragedy.”

“When in a high-stress situation, I try to stay in touch with my inner voice, my inner teacher. I try to relax and trust that I am not alone, and I’ll get help,” Dr. Anderson expressed.

He shared a rather valuable thought, or prayer, that helps him, and that he hopes helps others in challenging situations: “I’m here only to be truly helpful, to represent you who sent me. I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because you who sent me will direct me. I will go anywhere you wish knowing that you go there with me. I will be healed as I let you teach me to heal.”

He has shared his expertise and experiences in several media venues including Armed Forces Radio and Television, the NBC Today Show, in interviews in Stars and Stripes, and the Air Force Times.

“What my students have done with their lives is my proudest accomplishment. One of them is a U.S. Space Command surgeon and another an Air Force Surgeon General – really fine physicians,” he said.

Despite a lifetime of impacting numerous lives and organizations, Dr. Anderson shares that his greatest accomplishment is wife and family.

“Above all, I’m very proud of my kids and I’m proud to be introduced as Bonnie Anderson’s husband,” he concluded.