DR. DARLENE A. ANDERSON
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Darlene A. Anderson, a dedicated nurse, educator, and veteran, on September 14, 2024. Her remarkable 57-- year career of service touched countless lives around the world, from military personnel to students, pat ients, and healthcare staff. Born on June 21, 1934, in Litchfield to Clifford and Eleanor Anderson, Darlene was the eldest of five siblings and a proud graduate of Litchfield High School, where she was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dr. Anderson’s commitment to nursing began at Hamline University, where she earned her diploma in nursing. She furthered her education, ultimately receiving a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of California, San Francisco. Her distinguished 20-year military career in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps culminated in her promotion to Lieutenant Colonel before her retirement in 1979. A significant highlight of her service was as Chief Nurse at the 26th Casualty Staging Facility in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam, where she played a crucial role in advancing medical practices for wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War. She also served as Officer-in-Charge of in-Flight Medical Care at Scott Air Force Base, amassing over 1,800 flying hours and facilitating stateside coordination the historic “Operation Homecoming,” which repatriated 347 prisoners of war in
