Community Pays Homage To 'Dr. Dave'

David Anderson, M.D., the devoted Healdsburg doctor who retired on Nov. 1, was the man of the hour on Saturday night, as illustrious members of the medical and business fields met together to toast and roast him at the

“Retirement’s lovely,” Anderson said. “It was hard to leave — especially my older patients.”

On a sideboard in the lobby sat a number of white binders. Within their covers were compilations of both medical wisdom and the wisdom of his patients that Anderson collected over the years. In addition, there was a binder of the limericks Anderson created for the people he knew and worked with.

“I need to thank two people, besides my patients,” Anderson said. “The two Kathys — my wife Kathy and my medical assistant, Kathie Lamoureaux.”

“He’s not been home much,” laughed his wife Kathy Anderson. “He’s either playing tennis or busy being co-chair of the health care foundation board.

“But I do get to see him a little more,” she continued. They’ve been married for 42 years and have an anniversary coming in February.

“I used to worry,” Kathy Anderson said. “Particularly the middle of the night calls, when he didn’t get much sleep.

“We lived in Geyserville,” she stated. “And I worried when he worked all night and had to drive in the rain.”

“I brought my mother down from the mountains to live with me,” said Rita Scarduci, Director of Health Services for Sonoma County of her mother. “Dr. Anderson is so good with her.”

Healdsburg City Council this week issued a proclamation honoring Anderson's more than 38 years of service to the community.

"'Dr. Dave' has been a huge part of this community for a long, long time," said Healdsburg Mayor Gary Plass, who attended Saturday night's dinner. "He'll be missed in his practice, but he won't be missed around town -- he'll still be around."

At Saturday's dinner, tidbits from the doctor's books include quotes from his patients.

“My toes are getting further away,” Anderson quoted the words of Germano Ramazzoti who passed away in 2009.

In fact, Anderson also includes a quote from Sarduci's mother, Mary, in his books, as well.

“Things go in one ear and out the other. It’s like I’m shedding my memory,” Mary Scarduci said on Sept. 8, 2010.

“It’s been wonderful working with Dr. Anderson,” said Mary Berg, M.D., one of his former partners. “I miss him so much—he taught me so much.”

Glittering place settings and a sumptuous dinner were provided at the Villa Chanticleer by .

The event was sponsored by the Healdsburg Rotary.