In Loving Memory
January 9th, 2001 - August 31, 2026
Alexander William Anderson
Alexander (“Alex,” “Zand,” “Zander”), born in Shakopee, MN, died tragically in a car accident on August 31, 2026, in Port Orange, FL, on his way to work.
Alex spent his first 15 years living in Minneapolis and Lakeville, MN.
Alex moved to Gainesville, FL, in tenth grade and attended high school at Oak Hall Prep School, where he played lacrosse and football and was nicknamed “Minnesota.” His senior year, Alex received the Black Stripe Award in lacrosse, “Due to his selflessness and sacrifice for his teammates, always wanting to find a way to impact the game and help his teammates.”
Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Science, Cum Laude, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL.
Alex lived in Port Orange, FL, and was employed in aviation maintenance, with a special interest in avionics, at Dassault Falcon Jet in Melbourne, FL.
Alex is survived by his loving family: parents Jeff Anderson and Gayle Mattson Anderson of Cincinnati, OH; siblings Megan Rasmussen (her children Ramona and Roxanne Pawlowski) of Charleston, SC, Colin Rasmussen of Ely, MN, Jamie Anderson of Rosemount, MN, and Lindsey Rasmussen of Thornton, CO; maternal grandmother Virginia Mattson and uncles Todd Mattson and Rick (Jenny) Mattson, all of Rochester, MN; and cousins Melissa Mattson, Krista Mattson, and Ryan Mattson.
Alex was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William and Pauline Anderson, and maternal grandfather, David Mattson.
Alex developed juvenile myoclonic epilepsy at age 14. Alex faced his condition straight on, without complaint.
Alex was one of those special, gentle, selfless souls who befriended everyone he met and was universally loved.
Alex had a wall hanging with a song lyric that sums up his life perfectly: “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile.” - Mac Miller
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 4, at 5:00 p.m. at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, College of Aviation Atrium, Daytona Beach. All who knew Alex and Alex’s family are invited.
An Alexander Anderson Memorial Fund to support epilepsy research has been set up here: https://gofund.me/e5825e05f
Please join us as we celebrate Alex and the incredible life he lived.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Friday, September 4, 2026
Service at 5:00 pm with reception to follow
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL
College of Aviation Atrium
1 Aerospace Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Dress: business casual. Please leave time for parking, there is construction around ERAU.
While memorial donations are preferred, flowers can be sent to Ustina Guirgis, Aviation Maintenance Science Administration (Bldg no. 340), 340 Aerospace Blvd, Daytona Beach Florida 32114
Help Us Celebrate Alex
We want Friday to be filled with the people, places, stories and moments that made Alex the magical soul he was.
If you have photos or videos of him - childhood, family, friends, Lakeville, Oak Hall, Embry-Riddle, Dassault, airplanes, work, adventures, Gator games, the really ridiculous moments or completely ordinary ones - please share them with us. (If you think it's too crazy, it's not. If you think it's too boring, it's not.)
And especially, if you have a video where we can hear Alex talking or laughing, we would love to have it.
Please upload anything you have by Thursday if possible. We might not be able to use them all but will be eternally grateful to have them.
Share Stories About Alex
We know there are a million Alex stories out there, and we want to hear every single one.
There are pieces of Alex’s life we have never gotten to see, and getting to know him through your memories is a gift we’ll keep forever.
Tell us something funny, ridiculous, kind, completely ordinary or totally unforgettable. Tell us about the Alex you knew, the things he said, the things you did together, or a moment you’ll always remember.
No story is too small. Please share yours with us. Not limited to one story submission, please send as many as you want.
The Alexander Anderson Memorial Fund
Alex lived with epilepsy for much of his life, but if you knew him, you know it was never the most interesting thing about him.
He loved airplanes. He loved his people. He loved life. He built a career doing exactly what he loved, working on Dassault Falcon jets, and he had so much focus and so much life still ahead of him.
We aren't ready for his story to end here.
The Alexander Anderson Memorial Fund is being created to honor Alex by supporting the people, research and work that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those living with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
We are still determining exactly what this fund will become and where it can have the greatest impact. We are going to build something lasting and impactful in Alex's name; something that grows far beyond this week and continues doing good for years to come.
For those who have asked how they can help, we would be incredibly grateful for a contribution in Alex's memory.
Follow Alex's Legacy
As the Alexander Anderson Memorial Fund grows, we'll share where the funds are going, the work they're supporting, and the impact being made in Alex's memory.
If you'd like to stay connected and follow what comes next, leave your email below.
We'll only email you with meaningful updates about Alex's Legacy and the Alexander Anderson Memorial Fund.
About Zander
How do we even start to sum up his life in just words and photos? Will upload memorial video here. Until then, enjoy a picture of Uncle Zander from June 14th 2026; after we had the best time together and he took the girls on all the rides at King’s Island in Cincinnati.
