Linda Anderson Memorial
We mourn the loss of long-time Wisconsin occupational therapy leader, teacher, advocate and friend, Linda Anderson. Linda died unexpectedly on July 27, 2011 in Madison at the age of 72. Linda was a gifted and giving person who was devoted to the OT profession. Linda graduated with a BS degree in OT from UW-Madison in 1960. She completed her master’s degree in 1988 from Cardinal Stritch College. Linda was an influential leader in the Wisconsin OT community. She served as president of the Wisconsin OT Association for three terms. Linda worked tirelessly on the OT licensure effort for over 8 years, developing the necessary collaborations and supports and helping to draft the statutory language needed for the OT Licensure Bill.
Linda’s leadership was widespread extending beyond the state to the national level. She was a fellow of the American OT Association. She served on numerous AOTA committees including the AOTA Ethics Task Force, WI representative to the AOTA Representative Assembly, and AOTA Political Action Committee. Linda was devoted to OT practice in the areas of mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse, serving in leadership roles in OT at St. Mary’s, UW Hospital, Meriter and Dodge County Mental Health. She was also an associate lecturer at the UW-Madison OT program and supervised numerous Level II fieldwork students. She was committed to helping students learn about, understand and participate in health care policy as it relates to OT practice. Linda retired from OT practice in 2002.
Linda was always eager to help others around her. She gave much to the occupational therapy community, and she leaves much for us to carry forward. She will be missed by those of us whose lives she touched, either directly, as teacher, colleague, mentor, administrator, consultant, advocate, lobbyist and friend, or, indirectly, through her work on behalf of the profession. She is survived by her husband, Donald; two sons, Eric and Wesley; and two grandchildren. Linda’s Memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2011, Holy Wisdom Monastery, 1-4 pm (service at 2 pm).
If you would like to donate to the Linda Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund, please our "Support the Program" page.