Curtis Wade Anderson

Curtis Wade Anderson, 57 years old, died peacefully on August 19, 2025, with his mother by his side. Curt was born on September 13, 1967 in Las Cruces New Mexico, the son of Robert Edwin and Vena Jeane Martin Anderson.

Curt’s family moved to Branson, Missouri, and he spent his childhood there where his father worked as the college librarian. Curt’s brother, Hugh, was born in 1963. Curt spent a great deal of his childhood in the museum at the university where he honed his appreciation of science. Curt received his Bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield in 1989, and his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Biology from Northern Arizona University in 1992 and 1996. From 1996 to 1998 he was a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. This Fellowship was pivotal for Curt, as it prepared him for his future job at Idaho State University (ISU), beginning in 1998.

In 2007 Curt married Renee Katter, and in 2013 they welcomed their daughter, Sophia, into their lives. Curt and Renee were later divorced.

While at ISU, Curt studied neurophysiology and evolutionary neurobiology, and had more than 20 publications in biological sciences. In recent years he had broadened his interests to include Medical Ethics, consciousness, mindfulness practice, and comparative anatomy. His most recent book, Comparative Animal Physiology, is in the process of publication. Curt had a deep passion for teaching and was loved by his students.

His life revolved around his daughter, Sophia. They spent many hours flying kites, digging fossils, and fishing. He had deep compassion for all beings, and recently had trained and volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician for humans and for animals. He enjoyed presenting on mindfulness to health professionals as a way to alleviate their work stress.

Curt was preceded in death by his father and his brother. Curt is survived by his mother, Vena, his daughter, Sophia, his former wife, Renee Katter, and his dog, Emma.

The family is grateful to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Portneuf Medical Center for their care of Curt during his illness. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those who would like to honor Curt’s memory could contribute to the Curt Anderson Memorial Scholarship at Idaho State University through the ISU Department of Biological Sciences.