In this feature, Dr. Anderson will be referred to as ‘Doc,’ by which he is popularly known.

Words of Wisdom from the Doc: After accomplishing something noteworthy, if you wait for a ‘pat on the back,’ it may never happen. Many times, you need to take your own hand and pat your own back. Don’t wait!!!

The Cambridge English Dictionary: To ‘pat one on the back’ means: To praise someone for doing something good

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

.BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Doc was born in Stann Creek Town, British Honduras (now Dangriga, Belize) at the town hospital, under the watchful eye of stern Nurse Humphreys, the son of Amy Rosemarie and Henry (Harry) Anderson. Shortly after, he was registered and his birth-certificate issued. That birth-certificate was to affect his life. You see, Henry Warley Anderson is not the Doc’s real name. He is actually Henry Darley Anderson III, named after his father and Grandfather, the Darley being one of the English ancestral surnames. Unfortunately, the middle name was not checked into and so Henry Darley became Henry Warley. It was not until much later in his adult life that Doc requested another birth-certificate and, lo-and-behold, his name read, Henry Darley Anderson.

Doc attended Sacred Heart School in Dangriga after which he went to Lynam for a two-year period, one of the youngest students to attend at the age of ten. He later graduated from Stann Creek High School and was the Salutatorian. It is noteworthy that during that period of our history, a high school could not get a government stipend unless one of the students had a General Certificate of Examination (GCE) pass in English Language. Doc was the first one to pass that subject and the stipend was forthcoming. Principal Ken Drepaul even gave him a party to celebrate. There is an anecdote about his graduation. Premier George Price was the Guest-Speaker and during his speech, Doc thanked Premier Price for coming all the way from Belize to be at the graduation. Immediately after the ceremonies, Premier Price sought out Doc to remind him that he ‘came all the way from Belize City. Belize was the name of the entire country.’ Premier Price was setting the facts straight.

Another one of Doc’s accomplishments at Stann Creek High was playing the piano. Mr. John Wilkinson, a British Volunteer, brought his musical skills to the school. Doc immediately joined the group and within two years had passed his Grade Four Examination from the Royal School of Music in London. Mr. Wilkinson left and Doc went to St. John’s College Sixth Form where he continued under the tutorship of Hazel Wade, renowned Belizean pianist. He was successful at the Grade Six Level and played in several concerts in Belize City. While at Sixth Form, he went to Dangriga on weekends to teach the remaining students of the group. They all passed their examinations except for one young lady. Doc warned her continuously that if you want to play the piano seriously, you had to get rid of long fingernails as you are unable to bring forth the emotions required by the music to the piano keys. Well, she kept her long fingernails and she was the only one who failed. It is noteworthy that the British Examiner made mention of Doc’s accomplishments both as a student and a tutor.

After High School, Doc decided to take a break and began working at the Citrus Company of British Honduras in the Chemistry Department, salaried at $68.00 per month. After three days, he decided that both job and salary were not for him. He travelled to Belize City and was accepted into St. John’s College Sixth Form where he obtained his Associates Degree in Arts and Science, having majored in English and Biology.

As is known, after Sixth Form, Doc went to the University of the West Indies (UWI) to study medicine. His piano studies were put aside. He did sing with the University Choir at the University Chapel, always developing a thirst. The Students’ Union was nearby so after Service he and his colleagues always went over there to have one . . . or two . . . perhaps three or four . . . Red Strip beers. At UWI Doc also participated in Carnival parades, in full costume, and other social activities held by his hall, Irving Hall, and achieved ‘Frequent Visitor Status’ at the Doctor Pepper bar in the neighbouring town of Papine. Yes, he did study also. With respect to his writing, Doc was the first medical student to be awarded the 'Use of English Prize' at the University of the West Indies. His English Professor, on reading some of his earlier works asked him, “Mr. Anderson. What are you doing in medicine? You should be with us.”

While studying at UWI, he met his beautiful wife, Stephanie, and they were married eight months later in Dangriga. After graduation, he and his family, then including two Jamaican born children, Fayemarie and Henry, moved to Nassau, Bahamas where he completed his Medical Internship then worked in the Accident and Emergency Department. During that period, Aaron was born. After a time, Doc returned home to serve in his home community of Dangriga where he had his private clinic for some twenty years after which he served as Stann Creek District Medical Officer. During that time, he, Dr. Peter Allen and other senior staff, reviewed and modified the floor plans for the new Dangriga Hospital to make it more suited for the services it would provide. Stephanie did her part as she did all the necessary typing. Doc has served Belize in other ways. He was a soldier in the British Honduras Volunteer Guards. In politics, he contested both municipal and general elections. As a diplomat, he was stationed in Washington D.C. and in Guatemala City. He was nominated to several Boards, was a Justice of the Peace, and served as Chairman of the Stann Creek Ecumenical College Board of Governors. And there were other services, as well.

Doc and Stephanie were heavily involved in the Community and its organizations, fund raising, participating in social and cultural programmes, Queen pageants, Lions Club, assisting in sending Dangrigans to training abroad and to international events like the Olympics and others, assisting in finding scholarships to study at home and abroad. Among these activities was the sponsorship of the famous basketball team, ESANIGU, which means ‘Sons’ in Garifuna, Stephanie also sponsoring a football team by the same name. This was not Doc’s first sponsoring of a basketball team. While a student at the Sacred Heart Primary School, he sponsored the ‘Fireball’ basketball team. Johnny Chee, newly arrived from China, painted the name and numbers on the jerseys. Fred Paul Garcia Sr. was one of the players. Later on, his well-known son, Fred Garcia Jr, played on Esanigu where he received his initial training. He then moved on to major competitions in Belize and abroad, even playing in Spain.

Sponsoring Esanigu was not just providing financial assistance. Doc remained Doc, but Stephanie became ‘Mami’ and the young men soon became members of the Anderson family. Esanigu played games nationally, in Mexico, Guatemala, and was the first out-district team to play in the Belize City Competition. Esanigu, not only played great basketball, but provided entertainment at the games, Garifuna drumming and dancing, and cheerleading. One of the team’s first notable victories, under Coach John Giere, was defeating the great Clinton ‘Pulu’ Lightburn’s team at a tournament at Ladyville. It is notable that during a game against the Belize Defence Force in Belize City, the BDF team had no defence and was being systematically trounced. The well-known radio sportscaster, James Adderly, announced that Esanigu was providing a basketball clinic that day. No offence to the BDF. It should also be noted that many, if not all, of the Esanigu players have become prominent members of the Belizean Society and wherever they now live.

Doc and Stephanie’s third son, Terés, was born in Belize City, the only Belizean born of the four. They now have fourteen grandchildren: Kiara, James, Christian, Nyreh, Mia, Jasz, Terés, Ria, Carolina, Cynthea, Henry, Isak, Marcel, Markus; three great-grandchildren, Makenna, Malia, and Realeigh, and two more are on the way, Ny’mir and Roman. Doc and Stephanie and most of their family currently live in Minnesota.

Annotations from Family and Friends:

Henry always tells me, a grin on his face, that he ‘picked me up at a bus stop in Jamaica.’ There is some truth in that. I met Henry at a bus stop in Jamaica while he was studying medicine at the University of the West Indies. He was walking with a bunch of students and all I heard was his rip-roaring laughter. I would learn over the years that his laughter was a result of his great sense of humour. My cousin, Gloria, who was with me, immediately, fell in love with his ‘mass of red curls.’ Well, I didn’t like him at all as I thought he was too loud and boisterous. He then, instantly, went on my ‘s…list.’ It got worse. He asked my other cousin, Ann Marie, “Who are the ‘little’ girls sitting in the corner?”–Instant dislike. I was not impressed with this ‘upstart.’ ‘Strike 1.’ Somehow, we, and other students, found ourselves at his house, actually referred to as The Belize Embassy because of all the social gatherings held there. He, well planned, excused himself saying he had laundry to do. Dear Cousin Gloria said “Let’s help him with the laundry.” We did and it was no fun washing socks that had been soaking for two weeks: gronji. I couldn’t believe it when he brought out his underwear. Meanwhile, the newly arrived students from Belize were matchmaking for their Freshman’s Ball. I was informed that they had put Henry with me. I’m a very confident person and decided to go along with their suggestion so I promptly asked him for a date to the dance. His response was, “I don’t date little girls.” ‘Strike 2.’ So, I didn’t go to the party only to find out later that Henry did. Once, after buying two chickens for my Aunt Rose’s Sunday dinner, instead of going straight home, we decided to go to Henry first. Before we were aware of it, Aunt Rose’s chickens were on the stove being cooked by Henry and his co-conspirators. I had some explaining to do when I arrived at Aunt Rose’s without her Sunday chickens. At times, when we came to his place, he would go upstairs to his landlady’s to play the piano. Ann Marie always asked, “I wonder who Henry is cock-spurring for now.”

The following day after I was rudely informed that he did not date little girls, unbelievably, Henry called to apologize and asked me out to a house party. I don’t know why, but I said, “Yes.” During the party he asked me to help him make his famous Rum Sour. I began cutting the limes and somehow cut my finger. I will never forget how he rushed at me, held my finger, kissed it. Well, we had a blast as we finished making the Rum Sour and then dancing. The drive down the hills from the party was not as great, however. We were all talking, expressing our views, and Henry became increasingly unhappy about something and showed it very vocally. It seemed that my self-confidence and way of expressing it did not suit him. The students in the car told him: “You found your match.” For me it was: ‘Strike 3.’ He was out! Henry was persistent, however. In December, Henry left for Christmas vacation in Belize and I went back to my life and, later, the beginning of my career at the Bank of Nova Scotia in Grand Cayman. I was going to be the career girl. That didn’t last long, however. Henry later came to visit me in Cayman. Again, he has his version of the visit and I have my version of the visit. He popped the question and I laughed, something I do when I’m uncomfortable about whatever, especially if I were not in agreement. I told him we can make our parents know and set a date later. That was my way of saying “No.” He also found out, at that time, that I was only 17 years old. Henry went into wedding mode and, immediately, started to make plans including setting the date of our wedding for 2 weeks after my 18th birthday. I was informed via telegram: “Date set for July 14th.” Okay, I thought, thinking it was the Engagement date. There was time for whatever happened after that. For Henry, it was our wedding date. We had only met a few times, over three short periods actually, before he set the wedding date. I knew I was taking the biggest chance of my life as we were like night and day, but once I’d made the decision to support Henry, I was all the way in. That became the story of our lives.

I knew from very early into our marriage that the man I married belonged to the community in which he served and I went along on the roller coaster ride. Dr Henry Anderson, Henry to me and Doc to many, is a very quiet individual, always deep in thought. I guess he’s always cooking up his next adventure. Henry is the most kindhearted and loving partner ever. We had our ‘ups and downs’ during our marriage, but I always brought what was necessary to help him execute his vision and reach his goals. I also became the mother of our four beautiful children. We dedicated our lives to the service of our people: at the Stann Creek Medical Centre, with our basketball team Esanigu, doing fundraisers and so forth, and then involved in the dreaded politics. Later we served as diplomats in Washington DC and then again in Guatemala City where we had a rocky start, but we persevered for, as the then Leader of the Opposition had advised his colleague there, “Do not underestimate the Andersons.”

One of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received was from the Military Attache of the British Embassy who realized what all we faced. He said that I was like “a beautiful ship–calm in calm waters, but that I rolled with the waves in rough seas.” That was necessary to survive in the life Henry had laid out. I must add that serving our country as a diplomat with Henry was one of the greatest opportunities in my life. It was a great experience to serve our country in that capacity. I worked with Henry at the Embassy and one Diplomat asked how was it we worked together so well, seeing each other every day both at home and at work. My response was that Henry was my boss at work, but I was the boss at home. We switched hats.

Serving as a diplomat in a country that claimed to have a territorial claim on our country was not easy. Henry and I believed that we had to be seen. We were not only La Mesa Belice, (The Belize Desk). We were an Independent Belize with all boarders intact. It was not about being a social butterfly going from champagne glass to champagne glass, but we had to be seen as representing the Nation of Belize. We did this, our children included, taking every opportunity to have our Flag raised and our National Anthem played. There was an incident at the opening ceremonies of Football competition in which Belize and other national teams were playing. I appreciated the support Henry gave me that night, an expression of his love, rather than succumbing to diplomatic pressure. The President of Guatemala, Ramiro de León Carpio, was seated in his suite above us. He sent down one of his guards to invite Henry to go up and join him in his suite. Henry asked if I could accompany him. The guard apologized saying that only men were invited. Henry in turn apologized and told the guard to offer his thanks to the President, but he would not be leaving his wife alone.

How can I fit 50 years into a few comments? Here goes. Thank you for capturing me before I realized what was happening to me, for being my husband, my partner, my best friend, my personal 24/7 doctor-on-call, but, most importantly, for being the father of our children. Fifty years later, all that glitters is still gold. To my other half, my Henry, congratulations to you on this marvelous journey of 50 years together. Shortly after our marriage, I asked Henry if he loved me with all of his heart. He answered “No.” I was shocked. He, the Forever Poet, looked at me and smiled saying, “If I love you now with all of my heart, there will be no space left in my heart for my love for you to grow.” True love doesn’t happen right away; it’s an ever- developing process. It matures after you’ve gone through many fluctuating times, when you’ve suffered together, cried together, laughed together. There was another incident that took me by surprise. On our wedding day, in church, just after we finished the marriage vows, I awaited my first kiss as his wife. To my amazement, and that of those in the packed church, 500 invitees, he shook my hand. Before I could think about it, however, we were walking down the aisle and the church bell was ringing. One day, I asked him about it. He smiled, as usual, and said: “My Aunt Olive always said that a kiss is but a salute of the lips. I believe that a hand shake in the House of the Lord, in front of the Priest who is a Servant of the Lord, makes a commitment for a lifetime.” Well, it seems that is true for next year we’ll be celebrating out Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary. I hope he knows that there is no way we won’t be sharing that long overdue official kiss. Love you, Henry.

Stephanie D. Anderson

So . . . my Dad asked me to write a short bit, four or five sentences long, about an experience describing him. Well, it is kinda impossible to choose one thing, much less limit the accounting of it in so few sentences; but, after a lot of thought, I reached into my childhood. A lasting impact my dad has had on me is the magic of imagination. Going out to the cayes was a special time anyway - getting away from “town”, school, homework, but more importantly, it was time just with my parents, especially my dad. It didn’t matter if it were raining or sunny or if it were “oil calm” and mosquitoes were biting and we had to close all the doors and windows–my dad would make it something else. During ferocious thunderstorms or ‘squalls,’ he made us count the seconds between the lightning and thunder to guess how far away the storm was. Really, it was just fun singing the ‘chicken song’ and making thunder noises. When the flies were biting and we tried to ignore the stifling heat, we played checkers or snakes and ladders. My favourite thing to do was to lay down on the pier at night after dinner and watch for “satellites”. Thousands of stars shone in the darkness twinkling and, every now and again, one would move across the sky slowly. We would guess if it were a satellite or a plane and then make up stories about where the people came from or where they were going. Even now, when I look up at night, I look for “satellites”, smiling, knowing that I got one of those moving stars and went on my own adventure across the sky.

Fayemarie Anderson-Carter

Dr Henry Anderson … to many, he’s many things. To me, he is simply, Dad … affectionately known as Doc. A man of integrity, I try to be like him in the way I live, the way I approach conflict, the way I perform as a man. His ability to mentor, inspire, and give positive advice has always been aspirations of mine. The Doc is a man that makes those he influences, better. I’m proud of my dad, The Doc…

Aaron Richard Donald Anderson

Doctor Anderson! Many say he is a great man, a great role model to many. Yet, there are many things he has done for Belize that remains unrecognized, an example being his work in sports and the Esanigu basketball team. As I grew up, he provided me with a lot of experiences. I would never have been a guest at the White House if not for his diplomatic appointment to Washington DC. Because he is a medical doctor, I never had to seek out a doctor and, since we had a pharmacy, I didn’t have to wait in line for medicines. I always remember the times we spent in Guatemala when he was on another diplomatic appointment. We travelled all over the country, our anthem and flag always with us. My most enjoyable times, however, was when he took us to our properties at South Coco Plum Caye and South Water Caye. Whenever we arrived at South Coco Plum Caye, immediately after taking our stuff up to our house, we built a fish pen and started fishing. Within a couple hours of fishing off the pier, we had enough fish for breakfast.

He has been very influential to me. He taught me how to repair our wooden house as needed, how to grow vegetables and fruit in the yard. I always had to be the guy to water them. Everything my father thought me, I have been able to use in my life. I still try to live up to his standards, but the world we live in, the chaos that is upon us, sometimes causes us to go in different directions. One of his recent books is called CUBES in which he deals with many of the ills in our societies. We should all read it. I always keep in mind what he taught me. I would ask myself, what would my father think if I do this. That’s how I get through this life, that’s how I walk the straight path to righteousness. So to me, my father is a great man and there is no one to compare him to. One day, he and I will, once again, be relaxing on our island, spending the last of our days together. Love you, Dad.

Terés Stephen Anderson

Please click the link below to see a reel on CUBES

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GdrALsFotddqR6CC8

My dear brother, Henry, is an exceptional individual. He is intelligent, creative, adventurous, charming, loving, and funny. All this combined with his superior organizational and leadership skills made for a happy, adventurous, fun-filled childhood for us, his siblings and cousins. As a child, Henry was the eldest of us four children. We therefore looked up to him for leadership. He organized games, plays, circus acts, baking, shops, and treasure hunts. The last two, although enjoyable, were regretted later on as we lost our dad’s coin collection and my grandfather’s silver trophies which he had won for hunting and horse racing. The one stunt we all rebelled against was when he built a ferris wheel in the yard. No one dared to ride in it. So that Ferris Wheel remained untried. My brother, Henry, full of life, full of fun, full of energy, full of love.

Dawn Marie Anderson

You always bring a big smile to my face. Thank you for some of the best memories of my childhood, especially the shows you produced with us as young kids, we being the actors. The adults of course had to pay a fee to come in. You set up membership clubs, circus shows, built rides in the yard. I will always remember the rotating swing. My little cousin, Arlene, was on it when the rope popped. She flew across the yard, but, luckily, was unhurt. And there were more, and more, and more. Christmas time was always my favorite when you would decorate the Christmas tree and set up the crib with Baby Jesus at my Grandmother’s house. You still have the original crib now and you still set in up every year. Your character and values have not changed and I love you for it. Thanks, Brother, for all the creative imagination you used growing up. It is now being put into your great books that you are publishing.

Marlaine Anderson

Dr. Henry W. Anderson is a prolific author, a fierce researcher and a serious editor who pulls no punches when working with another writer. He can also take a punch when a writer decides to fight back; yet, he can swap a fairly nasty joke with anyone, including a client, a family member, or a friend, while in between projects.

F. Daniel Bracket, author of Belize, Bush Tea and Muddy Waters

Growing up in the small town of Dangriga, I believed it was the "World." That was until I ran into my friend, Dr. Henry Anderson. He had a different plan for us. He introduced us to the world as it is. I got an opportunity to see a different place and realized what I knew was not it at all. Dr. Anderson has aways been a person with great insights. He is always able to see what is possible. He has the unique ability to share his vision in a way that’s easy to understand. This is very evident in his literary works.

Claude Martin - Esanigu

The Doc! The Stoic!

A man whose life is deeply rooted in his love of Family, guided by his Faith, is known for being fair and non-judgmental. Very disciplined and contemplative, he is thorough in his observation and evaluation of circumstances and a trusted mind in offering advice – whether professional or personal. A multi-dimensional man with an uncanny knack for satire and sarcasm, he is an ardent lover of various art forms (paintings, music, movies, culture, stage shows, drama, creative dance), and one that enjoys a jolly-good laugh and fun entertainment. With the latter as his core, a little spirit in the glass would make the fun times last. He would say to the young rookies or inexperienced drinkers on the basketball team: “It is an abject disrespect to see a bottle of alkahol full – ‘batams op’ – unu saaf!” And when the time came for the gathering to end, the Doc would say: “one for the road,” followed by, “one more for the curve.” Then, “another for the corner.”

Myrick Tasher - Esanigu

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DR. ANDERSON’S BOOKS ALREADY PUBLISHED

Twelve of Dr. Anderson’s works have been published and are available as printed books, print-on-demand books, and e-books. For more information, please go to jabirubooksbelize.com

Dr. Anderson has begun working on his new book, I dream of Obwandiyag (Pontiac). The story is a fantasy, incorporating the mythology of the endogenous nations in what is now the United States of America. Two young men, one a Dakota Brave named Akíčhita, meaning Warrior and the other a White Settler named Dolph, meaning Wolf, face their own cultural differences and a great adventure. The timeline is based on historical incidents and is set during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

INFORMATION/LINKS

The works by Dr. Henry W. Anderson are available at the libraries of the Belize National Library Service and Information System. For more information, please go to:

https://www.bnlsis.org/

Dr. Henry W. Anderson books are also available as E-books and Print-on-Demand at store.bookbaby.com (BookBaby Bookshop), recommended, and other worldwide retailers:

E-Book Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Vearsa, Kobo, OverDrive, Copia, Gardners Books, Baker & Taylor, eSentral, Scribd, Ciando, hoopla, Playster, and many more.

Print-on-Demand Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s and thousands of other stores and wholesale bookstore catalogs like Ingram and Baker & Taylor, around the world.

For store.bookbaby.com go to: https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/jabirubooksbelizecom

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