Dusty Anderson Passes Away

Dustin S. Anderson, 86, of Skiddy, died Saturday morning, May 17, 2008, at his home in Skiddy with his family by his side.

He was born March 1, 1922, at the family home in Skiddy, the son of Harry and Mabel (Stilwell) Anderson.

Dustin was a lifetime resident of Skiddy with the exception of the time spent while serving his country during World War II.

During the war he was a member of the infamous 6th Ranger Battalion, which was the first American force to return to the Philippines on the islands of Dinegat and Suluan offshore Leyte. He was one of the first four men to set foot on the Philippines and helped raise the U.S. flag. The 6th Battalion Rangers, C Company and F Company liberated more than 500 survivors of the Bataan Death March, who were POWs in a prison camp on Luzon, in what became universally known as the greatest and most daring raid in American military history.

Following the war he returned home to Skiddy where he was a cowboy, cattleman, horse trainer and breeder of registered Quarter and Paint horses. He was manager of thousands of acres of Flint Hills pasture and cattle owner. On Jan. 22, 1948, he received his pilot's license and was one of the first cowboys to use an airplane to check his pastures.

Dustin was a longtime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Association. Over the years he donated many Palomino horses to the Rock Springs 4-H Ranch near his home in Skiddy. He also was an Honorary Trooper at Fort Riley helping tend to the Buffalo herd on post. He enjoyed music of the Big Band era and was a wonderful Ballroom dancer.

On March 8, 1969, in White City, he was united in marriage to Dolly (Hubbard) Moore Anderson. She survives of the home. Also surviving is a stepson, Michael Moore and his wife Tamara of Houston, Texas; a stepdaughter, Kelly Moore of Ocala, Fla.; a grandson, Connor Moore of Houston; and a half-sister, Jean Allen of Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Dustin was preceded in death by his parents.