A Story of Art, Resilience, and Giving Back

Rob Anderson’s journey in the arts began during his tour of duty in Vietnam. As an infantry soldier, he documented his experiences through photography, sparking a lifelong passion.

After returning home, he pursued commercial photography in Colorado, later opening Rob Anderson Photography in Chicago with his wife, Kathy.

In 1998, tragedy struck when their son, Brendon, was murdered. Overwhelmed by grief, they closed their studio. Searching for healing, Rob returned to the arts and soon discovered a new passion—painting. He began by creating heart-shaped images as a tribute to Brendon, a symbol of love and remembrance. Over time, his artistic expression expanded into bold, colorful abstract paintings. Many of his works are signed with the number 7912—a deeply personal touch that represents the exact number of days Brendon was alive. Today, Rob’s collection reflects resilience, hope, and the power of creativity.

To learn more about our donations, please see our “Where We Give” section.