TEMPLE, Texas -- Steven Andersen, a former executive at PDI and McLane Co., died Sunday, Nov. 19, after long fight with cancer.
Andersen joined PDI (Professional Datasolutions Inc.) as the vice president of professional services in 1992 and moved on to PDI's parent company, McLane, a year later, heading up the retail services division. He later left McLane to work as an independent consultant.
In a note honoring Andersen, PDI president Greg Gilkerson wrote:
In his passing, we lost a great man, [image-nocss] a dear friend, a former PDI team member and a contagious upbeat, positive spirit that cannot be replaced. Steve is survived by his wife, Carol, two children, Stephanie and Scott, and four grandchildren who were the delight of his later years.
For those that may not be aware, Steve was PDI's vice president of professional services from 1992 to 1993. However, our relationship with Steve goes back many years. I first met Steve in 1981 after he had been appointed CEO of Pick Kwik in Clearwater, Florida. Steve had entered the convenience-store industry as a financial officer for PDQ, so he was a role model for me and others that held financial positions in our respective companies.
Over the next 25 years, Steve was a friend that freely shared his professional knowledge. In 1986, Steve agreed to consult with PDI on the system requirements for what became the PDI/Resource Management Series (PDI/RMS) software. In early 1987, Steve had a new role in a new company and volunteered to be the first user of the PDI/RMS software. It was a minor miracle that our friendship survived this important time in our company's history. It is a true blessing that Steve patiently worked with us to debug the new system.
In 1992, Steve and Carol Andersen moved to Temple, Texas, for Steve to become PDI's vice president of professional services. It was an incredible experience to have my former role model/mentor become a member of the PDI team. It was during these days that all of us at PDI were impacted with Steve's positive attitude. A friend once offered that you should ask yourself, "Are folks glad to see you coming or glad to see you going?" Steve Andersen was definitely one you were glad to see coming.
After discovering cancer in 2002, Steve continued to be a role model and inspiration for us all. I am convinced that the Lord gave him extra days to teach us how one should deal with adversity. Also, Steve reclaimed his faith during this time and frequently spent time reading the Bible.
He commented once in an e-mail that he had always wanted to live a "fantastic life", but now he was more interested in a "fantastic eternity" and that he knew he could do that by trusting in Jesus Christ.
Just Saturday, Jerry Rose (Steve's best friend) and I had the privilege to sit with Steve while Carol went for a walk. When we went into his bedroom, Steve looked up and gave us a "thumbs up." Can you believe it?! Even in his final hours, Steve was determined to convey to us that he was "fantastic" and that he was ready to be with God in Heaven.
We will miss you, Steve. God rest your soul and challenge us all to make a positive impact on the world around us, ... just like you did.
The Andersen's have requested that memorials be made to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas in lieu of flowers. A memorial celebration service will be held at Temple Bible Church at a date still to be determined. If you wish to be informed as to the date and time, please call or e-mail my assistant, Sheila Riggan at 254-771-7182 or sriggan@profdata.com.
CSP sends its condolences to Andersen's family.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.