Stephen "Steve" Anderson's Obituary
Stephen “Steve” Anderson, age 74, of Germantown, Tennessee passed away at his home on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Steve was born on August 17, 1951, in Huntington, NY to Herbert and Marjorie (Swan) Anderson. Steve graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School in 1969, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973, and then Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute again in 1979 with his MBA. Steve’s lifelong gifts of compassion and learning were apparent early on, and his significant devotion to his community was evident even in his youth when he became an Eagle Scout. Steve remained involved with the Boy Scouts as a troop leader for two of his sons, who fondly remember when both boys aggressively bid on and “purchased” almost every single cake at a bake auction emceed by Steve much to his chagrin.
When a job with BellSouth relocated him to New Orleans, the out-of-town Yankee was lucky enough to be set up on a blind date with a local southern wildcard. After courting her “with great fervor, she finally accepted my devotion” (a direct quote from Steve himself). On August 16, 1980, Steve married the love of his life, Catherine Morgan Baldwin, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. Together, they built a life anchored on family, faith, love, and laughter. His legacy lives on through his children Benjamin (Meghan) Anderson of Patuxent River, Maryland; Peter (Katie #1) Anderson of Kansas City, Kansas; Stuart (Katie #2 AKA Barb) Anderson of Chesapeake, Virginia; and Marjorie (Tiler) Katsma of Germantown, Tennessee. He adored being “Pal” to his eight grandchildren Luke, Drew, Keira, Mark, Elliott, Spencer, Jack, and Lucy, often bragging about the entire roster to whoever happened to be nearby.
His notes and letters to all family members became keepsakes, as they inevitably interwove family history, pop culture, and a heavy dash of dry self-deprecating humor. He would regularly send 5-, 6-, or 7- page handwritten letters. When he would leave voicemails for his immediate family, he would always say, “It’s Steve/Dad” as if they wouldn’t recognize their own father/husband’s voice. And it was not uncommon for him to sign his text messages as “Dad.”
Steve and Cathy founded the Anderson AmeriSpec franchise in 1996 and operated it very successfully until Steve retired in 2019. Their children are quick to point out that in its early years, AmeriSpec was fueled by 40% child labor (theirs). Since retirement, Steve was blessed to spend his free time in any way that he desired, and he chose to use his energy answering the call and serving the many communities around him. His family, friends, church, neighbors, and greater Memphis community benefited endlessly from his never-ending generosity. If possible, he was busier in retirement than he was during his working years. When he took breaks from his charity and chores, he and Cathy enjoyed many exotic vacations and cruises with their close friends and family. These most recent years were certainly some of the happiest times of his great life.
A convert to Catholicism, Steve was an ardent student of the Church’s teachings and incorporated them into his daily life. His family and friends would joke that he was a far better Catholic than anyone born into the faith, even attending daily mass for the last several years of his life. His devotion to the church never stopped growing, leading to his volunteering with his long-time church, Church of the Holy Spirit as a Mass Coordinator, as well as delivering food for Memphis Inter-Faith Association’s Meals on Wheels program.
Steve considered himself tremendously lucky to have lifelong friendships from the men in his life. Many of those who carried him through life will serve as pall bearers to carry him for the final time. The joy he felt from friendship was especially strong at his house at Snow Lake, where a bell signaled to all nearby to gather for happy hour and revelry.
Playing against Steve’s team in Trivial Pursuit was a tremendous challenge, as he never stopped devouring knowledge by reading books, collecting National Geographic magazines, or watching biographies with his trusted plate of Triscuits and cheese. His encyclopedic prowess earned him the nickname “Cliff Clavin” and first round draft picks for all knowledge-based games.
While his family and friends are devastated that he is no longer with us physically, we find solace in his earnest faith. We also take comfort in remembering all the good times and funny moments spent together. Even in stressful times, like after a fire extinguisher inadvertently fully discharged in a vehicle he was driving, his calm demeanor and sense of humor remained intact.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Marjorie Anderson, and is survived by the love of his life Cathy, his four proudest accomplishments- his children- and his cherished grandchildren, his younger brother David, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws known collectively as Camp Baldwin, who have gathered to remember him through endless stories, laughter, and musings.
Visitation will be Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Dr, Memphis, TN 38119. A Catholic Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. A celebration lunch will take place immediately following Mass.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association Meals on Wheels (https://www.mifa.org/donatenow), an organization to which Steve devoted so much energy and time.
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