Tacoma icon: His big heart extended to Cuba

Re: “Anderson was a leader in Tacoma’s philanthropy, business communities,” (TNT, 5/17).

Like many, I knew Karl Anderson because of his support of so many things that benefited Tacoma. But that is not the only Karl I came to know.

In 2016, I was introduced to Karl and his love of Cuba, which began 20 years ago because of his search for a good cigar. That search began his passion to promote entrepreneurship in Tacoma’s sister city, Cienfuegos, Cuba.

I traveled to Cuba with Karl in 2016 and 2017. He did not just believe in entrepreneurship; he carried out a plan to support the development of entrepreneurs in Cuba.

In 2017 Karl asked me to head the Tacoma International Enterprise Fund. If you knew Karl, you could never say no to what he asked.

I will miss Karl as no other person in my life. As a businessman, community leader, husband, father and friend, he is one of so very few that likely will never be replaced.

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Tacoma icon: His big heart extended to Cuba."