Ramblin' Rod Anders

Ramblin' Rod Anders
Anders with his trademark buttons
Born	November 26, 1933
Died	May 11, 2002(2002-05-11) (aged 68) Portland, OR
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television host on KPTV
Years active	1950s - 1997
Known for	Television personality
Home town	Portland, Oregon

Ramblin' Rod Anders (November 26, 1933 – May 11, 2002), born Rodney Carl Andersen, was the host of The Ramblin' Rod Show, a morning children's television program in Oregon, from 1964 until his retirement on August 8, 1997. The KPTV host was well known locally for his iconic, button-covered sweater which he wore on air. He was rumored to have been the inspiration for Krusty the Clown, a character on the long-running animated sitcom The Simpsons, but this was eventually refuted.

Anders grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon and was born at St. Vincent's Hospital. He began his career in radio broadcasting in the 1950s, singing and playing music on Saturday mornings for Tillamook radio station KTIL. He stayed with KTIL until he was drafted into the armed forces, where he served as a radio repairman. When his tenure was up, he returned to radio, filling on-air positions beginning in 1958 at KFLW in Klamath Falls, Oregon and continuing to KXL and KPOJ.

While working for KPOJ, Anders heard of an opening for a host on a local children's show called Popeye's Pier 12 on KPTV. He replaced host Bob Adkins (better known as "Addie Bobkins"). In the early 1970s, the show was renamed The Ramblin' Rod Show.

By the late 1970s, Anders had begun to wear message buttons on his cardigan, all of which were given to him by fans. Within a few years, his cardigan was almost completely covered. At one point, the host estimated that he had received 10,000 to 15,000 buttons.

Each year, Anders helped anchor the KPTV local coverage of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon. He served as a moderator on a Saturday morning talk show called 12 in the Morning and appeared in advertisements for Mike Salta Pontiac and Beaverton Toyota, two local car dealerships. Anders was also the in-house studio announcer for KPTV for many years. He retired in August 1997.

In 1994, he constructed the Apple Valley Airport on land near his log cabin home in Buxton, Oregon, west of Portland. During his retirement, Anders enjoyed flying and spending time with his family. He died in May 2002 after succumbing to a stroke suffered while making a personal appearance at a Portland Volunteers of America Thrift Store located at 181st and Division streets, now defunct.