COEUR d’ALENE — To his community, Paul Anderson was a giver, a leader — a Rotarian.

His wife, Sandy Hall, remembers him as “the best father and grandfather someone could ever have” to their children and grandchildren.

"I sure miss him a lot," Hall said.

Though Anderson passed away earlier this year, his memory and what he accomplished over more than four decades with Rotary District 5080 was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award on Friday.

The district’s highest award “recognizes Rotarians who, through a lifetime of Rotary service, made their community a better place to live and work,” said assistant district governor Steve Roberge. 

A bench near Tubbs Hill — “Paul’s Bench” — was dedicated Friday in McEuen Park, another tribute to a legacy not soon forgotten.

The honor was presented to Hall, who was surrounded by family members as she took a moment to remember the work of her late husband.

“You all brought so much joy to my husband, Paul,” Hall said.

Anderson became involved in Rotary after moving to Coeur d’Alene in 1984 and served as president of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club from 1990 to 1991 — just one of his many roles in the community. The Rose Sale, the organization’s biggest fundraiser for over three decades, was Anderson’s idea.

“Coeur d’Alene was pretty much a knife, fork and checkbook club,” Roberge said with a laugh. “He wanted to get Rotarians more physically involved.”  

The Rose Sale has raised over $1.2 million since its inception, allowing District 5080 to contribute to other organizations like the Kroc Center, literacy programs and Rotary International’s clean drinking water initiatives.  

What’s more, it was because of Anderson’s fundraising efforts that City Park now has a bandshell.  

“His spirit lives on in the joy of the roses each year ... in the joy of Music in the Park in summer,” Roberge said.  

Sandy Hall's husband, Paul Anderson, was a Rotarian for over 40 years and was honored Friday with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.