His wife Judy is the Public and Technical Services Librarian at Sauk. Jodi, their oldest daughter, graduated from the University of Illinois in Computer Science. Beth, their youngest daughter, graduated from the University of Iowa and is currently working on her Doctorate in Neuroscience at the University of Iowa.

Mr. Anderson previously taught mathematics at Rock Falls High School for thirty-one years, where he also served as chairman of the Math Department. He currently is a co-director of Math Teacher Link at the University of Illinois, a program that provides online graduate level course work on integrating technology into the teaching of mathematics. His work with technology in the teaching of math was featured in a PBS documentary called Net.Learning. His hobbies include computers, flying his own airplane, ham radio, bicycling, traveling, and reading.