Born on January 3, 1917, in Salt Lake City, Utah,[1] to Aldon J. and Minnie (Egan), Anderson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah in 1939 and a Juris Doctor from the S.J.

[2] On June 17, 1971, President Richard Nixon nominated Anderson to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Utah vacated by Judge Albert Sherman Christensen.

Anderson was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 22, 1971, and received his commission the same day.

He served as Chief Judge from 1978 to 1984, assuming senior status on December 20, 1984.

Anderson served in this capacity until his death on March 24, 1996, in Salt Lake City.