Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Anderson, Ronald

Philosopher, scientist, teacher; born Hokitika, New Zealand, 5 March 1950; died Boston, USA, 3 June 2007; aged 57.

Ronald Anderson's life from Hokitika to Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney, Oxford, Cambridge Massachusetts, and to Chestnut Hill, and finally, citizen of the United States of America, as well as from his Christian beginnings in the Presbyterian Church to Roman Catholicism to the Society of Jesus, is a remarkable journey. It was the way of a traveller, an immigrant, or even a pilgrim. He lived life on the edge, seeing things differently from many, challenging those with whom he was in contact.

He studied for the BSc in physics at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ, 1968-1972, and was received into the Catholic Church during his third year of studies. He was a member of the Australian Province from 24 February 1974 until 12 April 1994, when he was transferred to the New England Province.

Anderson received his first PhD, in physics, from the University of Melbourne in 1980. Post-doctoral work at the University of Oxford took place, 1979-81. At various times he was a part-time lecturer at Boston University's Metropolitan College, a visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne School of Physics, and a visiting scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Centre for Theoretical Physics. He studied at the Western Jesuit School of Theology for the M Divinity degree in preparation for ordination, 1981-84, but began doctoral studies in the philosophy of physics at Boston University in 1983, which were completed in 1991. He began full time teaching in the Philosophy Department at Boston College in 1987, and in 1990 created the Jesuit scholarship in the Postmodern Age Project. The subjects he taught included philosophy of physics, an introduction to the themes, science and religion, and developing spiritualities for the 21st century. He published articles in Physical Review, Journal of Physics and Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science. He developed an interest in conversation among Jesuits on the practice of scholarship of contemporary contexts, and wrote an article entitled 'Studying Physics and Jesuit Life: Worldliness and Life as an Immigrant' in Jesuit Postmodern: Scholarship, Vocation and Identity in the 21st Century. In 1993 he was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor. In 2001 he created the popular website, 'Readings and Sites for the Spiritual Journey'. Throughout his time at Boston he performed weekend pastoral ministry at St Raphael's in West Medford (1985-1990) and Our Lady Star of the See in Marblehead (1990-2007).

His Australian colleague, Brendan Byrne described him as 'a person intensively reflective about all the stages of his life, constantly weaving strands old and new into fresh patterns of insight and understanding. No element of his life journey, both personal and intellectual was ever simply abandoned or allowed to slip out of memory…. To be with (him) was always immensely stimulating. His conversation opened up worlds of physics, mathematics, history of science, art, philosophy and Eastern spirituality into which most of us could take only a few halting steps…'

John Martis experienced him as one 'who accompanied and listened, who lived the metaphor, very often enacted literally, of walking side-by-side in conversation, looking towards the horizon, and seeking truth companionably, but quietly.' He would be missed for his 'outstanding mind, and the heart with which it was offered so unstintingly'.

At Boston College, Anderson's Jesuit colleagues praised him for being equally at ease in the disciplines of religion and science. John Appleyard experienced him as 'an intellectually restless person in a way that made it always interesting and fun to have conversation with him…' Anderson was devoted to his students, and maintained the Jesuit community's web site with great skill and creativity. He was a prolific user of e-mails to keep contact with people, and stimulate ideas.

Anderson developed an active interest in the Buddhist tradition of Asia. He valued regular visits for meditation to the Insight Meditation Center in Cambridge, and was unafraid to ponder the truths of the Buddha.

He was also an accomplished pianist and organist, and a lover of Brahms and Beethoven. But he grew to appreciate more the 'fluid, haunting and open rhythms' of the provisional work of Philip Glass. His particular favourite was the second movement of Glass' 'Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra', which challenged him 'to hear the journey, the matrix, the letting go of settled, fixed reality, of life still unfolding.' It spoke to his heart.

Anderson died suddenly from a cerebral aneurism in his room in the Jesuit community in Boston.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)