Arthur R. Anderson, 85, Pioneer In Concrete Construction Methods

Arthur R. Anderson's theme might have been, "Anything steel can do, concrete can do better."

This visionary engineer, his family and their associates designed concrete light poles despite widespread skepticism.

The Tacoma native also came up with the revolutionary curved and angled beams of the monorails in Seattle and at Disney World.

"He brought the concept of prestressed concrete from Europe, where it was in production, to the United States," said his son Karl Anderson of Tacoma.

"My dad and his brother set up a factory in Tacoma but had no business because no one understood it. So they set up a firm to make alternative design proposals using concrete instead of steel."

Prestressing concrete, said the son, involves pouring it around strong wires under tension. The drying concrete shrinks around the wires, forming a virtually indestructible composite.

Mr. Anderson, who died June 23 at 85, loved a challenge. "We were fighting with steel people for a contract to build streetlight poles," said his son. "They said concrete would crack like a sidewalk if a car ran into it. So my dad set up a steel and a concrete pole, and had a crane swing a steel drum full of gravel at them. The drum buckled the steel, but just went `boing!' against the concrete."

Mr. Anderson earned a civil-engineering degree at the University of Washington and a doctorate at M.I.T.

He worked as a bridge designer in Germany, then returned to the

United States to join the M.I.T. faculty, where he was on the team that developed the electric-strain gauge - used worldwide to measure strains in structural materials.

During World War II he headed the technical department at Philadelphia's Cramp Shipyard, supervising the design and launching of submarines and destroyers.

After the war he directed testing of a prototype of the U.S.' first prestressed-concrete bridge, Walnut Lane Bridge in Philadelphia. He moved back to Tacoma in 1951, and with his brother, Thomas, founded Concrete Technology Corp. and ABAM Engineers.

"He was active in many community groups," said his son, "and was known locally for his outspoken advocacy of historic preservation and excellence in education."

As competitive as he was, Mr. Anderson liked to "un-stress" via fishing.

"Ilwaco near the mouth of the Columbia (River)," said his son, "was his favorite spot."

Other survivors include his wife of 57 years, Barbara Anderson,

a daughter, Deborah Ray, and his sister, Margrete Eddy, all of Tacoma; another son, Richard, Anderson Island, Pierce County; daughter Martha Nelson, Santa Fe, N.M.; and 18 grandchildren.

Services have been held. Remembrances may be made to the Arthur R. Anderson Scholarship, University of Washington, 1200 Fifth Ave., XF-09, Seattle WA, 98101-1116.