He operated one of the Brunswick region’s most successful insurance agencies for three decades, and gave back to the community in a big way, serving on several town boards and community-based organizations.

David C. Anderson, a longtime resident of Bowdoinham and a Brunswick-based businessman, died Friday at his home.

He was 68.

“He liked the town (of Brunswick) and the people he served with,” said his wife of 45 years, Leslie Anderson.

Mr. Anderson was born in Bangor but attended schools in Brunswick, graduating from Brunswick High School in 1961.

He went on to major in American history at Colby College, graduating from the Waterville school in 1965.

The Andersons were married on June 9, 1965. In 1969 they moved to Bowdoinham, where they have lived for the past 41 years.

Mr. Anderson joined the Riley Insurance Agency in Brunswick as a junior partner to his father, A.W. Anderson, and Tim Riley. They were later joined by Bob Millar, Riley’s son-in-law.

“As the older partners retired, the younger partners took over,” Mr. Anderson’s wife said.

Mr. Anderson and Millar eventually became the agency’s partners, successfully operating the business for 30 years.

Mr. Anderson was devoted to running a successful business. He’d wake up early every morning, arriving in the office around 5 a.m. He used that quiet time to catch up on paperwork and prepare for the day.

Then he’d go next door to Day’s News to talk business or politics with the morning crowd. “He was a funny guy who related well to everybody,” his wife said.

He took pride in serving his primary clientele of small-business owners. But despite his busy work schedule, he made time to serve his community.

He became the youngest chairman of the United Way of Bath/Brunswick campaign, served for 10 years on the Parkview Hospital Advisory Board, was a board member for the Bath/Brunswick Mental Health Association, and served on the boards of Oasis Health Center — a clinic for uninsured people — and the People Plus center.

In Bowdoinham, Mr. Anderson served on the Planning Board, helping to write the town’s first comprehensive plan.

In the late 1980s, Mr. Anderson served for eight years on Maine School Administrative District 75’s Board of Directors. He served twice as the school board’s chairman.

He also was well-regarded by his peers in the statewide insurance field. He served for several years as a member, officer and then president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Maine.

“(Serving as president) was hard on him because he hated public speaking,” his wife said.

Mr. Anderson retired from his job at Riley Insurance Agency in 2001. But he left the agency in good hands.

Millar’s son, Dave Millar, now operates the agency, his wife said.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the First Parish Church of Brunswick.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com