Lee G. Anderson

Known to friends, colleagues and family as the Fishguy, Professor Lee Grant Anderson’s heart stopped on November 30, 2023. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on October 22, 1943, the son of the late Clifford and Blanche (Halverson) Anderson. He spent his formative years in Salt Lake City and later in Seattle, where he went to Ingram High School. After graduation he attended Brigham Young University, where he met Sheila Bobbs. The couple graduated together and were married in the Oakland Temple on August 20, 1966. Lee continued his studies at the University of Washington and earned his PhD in Economics in 1970. He accepted his first teaching position at the University of Miami. Not a fan of humidity, and missing the seasons of the year, in 1974 he accepted a position at the University of Delaware’s newly formed College of Marine Studies (now called the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment).

The couple settled in Newark, Delaware, and soon afterward rejoiced in the birth of their daughter, Bronwyn, in 1975 and their son, Pearce, in 1978. Lee’s first sabbatical was in Bergan, Norway in 1981, where he became reacquainted with his Norwegian relatives; his second was in New Zealand in 1988.

Lee’s research and teaching centered on fisheries economics. He contributed countless scholarly articles to the natural resource economics literature and graduated dozens of master’s and PHD students. Researchers worldwide know Lee’s books, The Economics of Fisheries Management and The Bio- economics of Fisheries Management, for their rigorous yet practical approach to the topic of fisheries economics.  Both were translated into dozens of languages. He was named the Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies in 2008 and became a fellow of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade in 2014. He was a perennial member of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and advised fisheries commissions and government agencies in countries around the world. He received the Council’s prestigious Award of Excellence in 2023. In 2022, Marine Resource Economics presented him with the Publication of Enduring Significance Award (Vol. 9 No 3. – 1994).

With a friendly demeanor and delightful sense of humor, Lee got along well with colleagues, friends, family, and his dog. In his prime he played tennis, skied, took woodland walks, and fished for Bluefin tuna. He once set a goal of reading a million non-academic pages. Lee enjoyed playing poker and pinochle, eating prime rib and sushi, listening to the Beatles and collecting items for his fish museum.  He loved traveling the world—most memorably a safari in Tanzania.

He is predeceased by his sister Margo and his daughter Bronwyn Clare. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Sheila, son Pearce (Nikki), granddaughter Harlan Clare, sister Karen (Ned), brother Allan (Linda), sister-in-law Pamela Bobbs, son-in-law Joe Pipitone, and many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 500 W Chestnut Road, Newark, Delaware 19713. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a contribution to the Lee G. Anderson Fisheries Economics and Management Fellowship, UD Director of Development, College of EOE, 83 East Main Street, Third Floor, Newark, Delaware 19716.