Austin G. Anderson, age 89, died peacefully at home on January 2nd, 2013 on the family farm east of Kennewick. Austin was born on February 26th, 1923, to George Oscar Axel Anderson and Meta Bahr Anderson. A true Kennewick native, he lived on the same property his entire life. Austin was married to the love of his life, LaVonne Block Anderson, on June 22nd, 1947, and just celebrated 65 years of marriage. They have four children: Cindy, Bill, Betsy and Melissa. Austin graduated from Kennewick High School in 1940. He served his country in the Merchant Marines as a third Engineer during World War II. During this time, his crew set a new record from Seattle to Anchorage for a coal-fired steamer; aboard "The Old Otsego". He was the owner and operator of a sawmill in Lewiston prior to working at Douglas United Nuclear and the Hanford site as a Power Operator and Teamster. He retired in 1987. Austin loved spirited conversations and he never ran out of stories. Some favorite topics were local and NW history, NW geology & geography, automation, automobiles and engines. He could answer almost any question his grandkids had. Austin and LaVonne enjoyed many road trips exploring their varied interests - from ghost towns to gold mines and from the Yukon Territory to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He loved to regale his children and grandchildren with stories of his growing up in Kennewick, such as the time he and friends (with two of them standing on the running boards to balance the vehicle) drove the spine of Rattlesnake Mountain, in a Model T, from east to west in search of an old natural gas well, before any road existed. Austin is a member of East Benton County Historical Society, Franklin County Historical Society, Kennewick Valley Grange, Kennewick First United Methodist Church, the Moose Lodge, Teamsters Local 839, and Mid-Columbia Chapter of the Merchant Marines WWII Vets. He is survived by his wife, LaVonne; brother-in-law Jerry Klinetobe and family, daughter Cindy (Brian) Johnson (Ben, Sam and Rachel); son Bill (Debbie) Anderson (Austin (Beth), Evan and Sean); daughter Betsy (Tom) Lantry (Ian and Nathan); daughter Melissa (Tom) Gregory (Rick (Jenn), Julie, Paige, Bonnie and Cole); great-grandchildren Connor and Clara Anderson, Thomas Lantry, and Tori Gregory; in-laws Marilyn and John Jamieson, Tami Block, Roger and Gerry Block, and sister-in-law Louise Block; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Austin was preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathleen Anderson Klinetobe, parents-in-law Willie & Josephine Block, in-laws Roland Block, Ella Block, Marguerite Rosson, Richard Block, Marjo Cooper and Rodney Block. A special thank you to the nurses of Caring Hearts. A gathering in Austin's memory will be held on Sunday, January 6th at 2 p.m. at the Kennewick Valley Grange on South Washington Street. Contributions can be made to the Mid-Columbia Chapter of the Merchant Marines WWII Vets or the East Benton County Museum. We love you Dad - We love you Grandpa - You will be greatly missed.