Bruce Anderson
| Bruce Anderson | |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | 1941 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Death: | December 6, 2024 Pahoa, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Education: | University of Hawaii, Richardson School of Law (JD, 1976) |
| Occupation: | Lawyer, Libertarian activist |
| Residence: | Pahoa, Hawaii |
| Party: | Libertarian |
Bruce Alexander Anderson (born Bruce Alexander Berheim; 1941 – December 6, 2024) was an American lawyer, Libertarian activist, and longtime resident of Hawaii. He played a significant role in advancing the Libertarian movement in Hawaii and contributed to the development of constitutional law in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Early Life and Education
Bruce Anderson was born Bruce Alexander Berheim in Oakland, California, in 1941. From an early age, he exhibited a strong interest in science and invention, a curiosity that occasionally got him into trouble, including a youthful experiment with gunpowder that led to a minor explosion and a visit to juvenile hall. Despite an initial distrust of authority, he joined the U.S. Navy at the age of eighteen, where he trained as a nuclear reactor operator and served on submarines, including extended missions under polar ice.
After leaving the Navy in the 1960s, Anderson relocated to Hawaii and enrolled at the University of Hawaii. He later became part of the inaugural graduating class of the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1976.
Career and Libertarian Activism
Upon completing law school, Anderson became a key figure in the Libertarian movement in Hawaii, playing an instrumental role in securing the Libertarian Party’s placement on the state ballot. His advocacy for liberty and constitutional principles extended beyond the United States; in the 1980s, Anderson was invited to Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia to provide guidance on drafting their constitution.
Personal Life
Anderson spent much of his life on Hawaii's Big Island, where he purchased a home in Puna. He lived there with his longtime companion, Dale Pratt, and cultivated a rich and unconventional life that included tending to gardens and caring for an assortment of animals, including his pet rats. Anderson and Pratt traveled extensively, visiting destinations such as Petra, Jordan, where Anderson embarked on adventurous explorations that reflected his adventurous spirit.
He was known for his kindness, humor, and sharp intellect, traits that left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Legacy
Bruce Anderson’s contributions to the Libertarian movement, his dedication to constitutional law, and his unique approach to life left an enduring impact. He is survived by his daughter, Eva K. Anderson; grandson Justin J. Terada; sister Patricia Anderson Harvey; brother Russell Anderson; five nieces; and eleven grand-nieces.