Fred Anderson, 69, came to Sequim 20 years ago sight unseen.

Prior to Sequim, Anderson served as a human resources manager for Church’s Fried Chicken in Los Angeles, Calif., and then Atlanta, Ga. Following a car wreck that claimed his wife’s life, Anderson went on a road trip with his 3-year-old and 10-year old boys and in a roundabout way ended up in Sequim.

While staying in Seaside, Ore., he asked a hotel manager, a merchant marine, if he could live any place in the world, where would it be? His reply was Sequim to watch the tanker ships go by and live in the rain shadow, Anderson said.

He made a call to the Calvary Chapel Sequim, spoke to the pastor and was sitting in the church’s seat two weeks later. For the past 12 years in Sequim, Anderson has worked for a local grocer and fuel station. He met his current wife Jackie, a member of a Sequim pioneer family, in town and his two boys, now adults, Ryan and Joe, and step-daughter Andrea, graduated from Sequim High School.

Andrea has her master’s degree in psychology from City University, Ryan has a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology from Central Washington University and Joe is an E5 in the U.S. Navy.

“I’m proud of all of my kids,” Anderson said.

Question 16: What is your favorite Sequim event?

Anderson: Concerts at the (North Olympic Library) and probably the Irritation (Irrigation) Festival.

We attend the pioneer dinner every year and attend the parade. I have a great spot for the parade too but I can’t spoil it.

Question 20: What is your dream job?

Anderson: When I was 5, my 3-year-old brother and I went down the stairs in Dearborn, Mich., to our basement and using my dad’s work bench, empty cans of corn or beans and a pocket full of money we’d take turns being grocers in our own drive-through grocery store.

So, it’s a lot of fun to do what I do now. I had been moving freight until I had a 4-inch tear in my rotator cuff. I was loving it but I was given the opportunity to answer the telephone or go to the fuel station. I’m not a secretary but I could talk to people and run the cash register.

The main reason I do now is for health insurance with the conditions of working on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Question 42: What is your best or first memory in Sequim?

Anderson: My best memory is from March 1994 when I walked into Sequim Animal Hospital. I saw a blue-eyed blonde behind the desk and I was absolutely floored by her warmth, caring ways and I saw there was no ring on her finger. I prayed for her and it was five years before we went on our first date, a 9.3-mile hike around Lake Ozette. That was Sept. 14 and we were married Nov. 10 in 1999.

Question 45: What do you like best about yourself?

Anderson: I like my ability to ease people in difficult situations just as much as ticking them off but more so for putting them at ease. It started all in 1947 under Dad’s work benches pretending to be a grocer. I’ve been on many, many roads since but being in that little register environment, day to day, it’s a very meaningful part of my life. It really is.

Question 50: What is the greatest driving song?

Anderson: I have eclectic tastes but “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorites. Every year I donate to KSQM on its anniversary, Dec. 7, and request “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. My wife calls them on Valentine’s Day and requests “At Last” by Etta James.

In Random Questions, members of the community each draw five random questions (sometimes more) out of 50 from a bag and he/she will answer these questions for your entertainment. With suggestions for random interviews, e-mail Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.