Driver applies brakes after 64 years

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2008

It’s one thing to work as a truck driver until the age of 80, with 64 total years of experience. It’s another thing to drive all those years and never have a chargeable accident. That goal was reached by Robert (Andy) Anderson of Ashby who retired from Rothsay-based Fosse Transport in April.

“I feel blessed that everything fell into place, safely, while doing something I really enjoyed for many years,” said Anderson.

He lives in an apartment on main street in Ashby with his wife, Elaine. In retirement, Andy looks forward to spending more time with Elaine, their five children, 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

“Andy was a great employee, a person you could depend on as a driver who always had safety in mind,” said his former boss, Art Fosse, 91.

Fosse started Rothsay-based Fosse Trucking in 1947. Like Anderson, he also was not quick to retire. Fosse worked until the age of 84. His son, Paul, now runs Fosse Trucking.

The two reminisced over coffee Monday afternoon in Anderson’s Ashby apartment.

Anderson’s father, Earl, owned a trucking business in Ashby. Andy started driving as a truck driver at age 16. That’s 64 years ago, in 1944. He owned the truck business in Ashby from 1954 to 1965, when he began driving for Fosse.

In his first 20 years with Fosse Trucking, Andy drove a lot in this region, but at times traveled as far away as Detroit, Mich. He transported truck boxes, gravel boxes and various products. For the past 23 years Anderson has driven mainly in this area, hauling gas from Fargo and Alexandria to Rothsay and Pelican Rapids.

“When it came to safety, Art said we as drivers were to use our best judgment,” Andy said. “If I called Art on the phone and told him I thought it was too dangerous to continue driving, he’d say ‘park it’ and get some rest.”

Andy drove with a CDL Class A license that allowed for double, triple, tanker and hauling hazardous cargo.

“I took my job and driving very seriously,” he said. “That, and having a great boss (Fosse), enabled me to attain the safe driving record. In retirement, one thing I don’t miss is bad weather while on the road. But at least I had the option to pull over at any time, with the wholehearted support of Art.”

Fosse, looking back, said there were few things his truckers couldn’t haul. In addition to truck boxes, gravel boxes and gasoline, Fosse Trucking also delivered cattle, coal, grain, fertilizer, seed and other products.

“Sixty-four years as a truck driver is a long time,” Andy said. “I didn’t quit because I loved my work, and I still had time to enjoy things with family and friends when not on road. Now it’s time to relax a little more.”