The ASB flag was lowered to half-staff Wednesday in honor of a BYU Carpenter Shop employee, who died Saturday after battling congestive heart failure.

Leon Richard Anderson, 62, worked at BYU for 25 years. Anderson was also serving as a temple worker and as a counselor in the branch presidency at the Utah State Hospital.

Michael Benedict, chaplain at the Utah State Hospital, said Anderson had a special connection with many of the patients there.

"His genuineness of character, his unconditional acceptance and the trials that he went through with his own health gave him a special insight into helping the people with the struggles they were having," Benedict said.

Anderson spent many hours organizing BYU volunteer groups to visit the hospital and played an important role in the renovation of the hospital chapel, Benedict said.

"The chapel was in dire need of renovation,"

Benedict said. "Leon and I were able to complete or nearly complete an almost $30,000 renovation project through volunteer funds."

Born in Price and raised in Provo, Anderson served a mission in Argentina from 1961-1964. He graduated from BYU in 1967 with a degree in Youth Leadership. Anderson spent many years in the Scouting program, earning the distinguished Silver Beaver Award. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Pearson Anderson, seven children and 10 grandchildren. To send condolences to the family, visit walkerfamilymortuaries.com.

(Editor's note: an earlier headline mistakingly said he died of lung cancer. NewsNet.byu.edu regrets the error.)

Copyright Brigham Young University 1 Dec 2005