Peter Steven Andersen

Peter Steven Andersen, age 43, of Watkinsville, Georgia, formerly of Savanna, Illinois, died suddenly in an automobile accident on October 7, 2005 in Watkinsville. Steven was born September 25, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Harold and Nedra Andersen. He was raised in Savanna, Illinois. In 1984, Peter graduated with a degree in business and finance from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. At a Chicago rooftop sunset ceremony in May of 1988, he married Anne Pinsker Miller of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Peter joined the Navy in June of 1988. His final posting brought him to the Athens area as an instructor at the Naval Supply Corps Training School in 1997. After retiring from active service, he and his wife Anne, an accomplished chef, chose Watkinsville as their hometown. In the beginning of his "retirement", Peter became manager of the event rental business at Ashford Manor while assisting his wife Anne in the development of a catering business. While a reserve officer, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander, S.C., U.S.N.R. In January 2002, Peter and Anne realized their dream of opening Watkinsville’s first fine dinning experience. Le Maison Bleu thus was born on Greensboro Highway. After three and half successful years, Peter took his staff and his customers to an even greater dining experience with the opening of Maison Bleu in the Town Center Building, on Main Street in Watkinsville. In October 2002, Peter’s daughter Alana moved from California to join in the business venture. Together with Alana, he created an extensive herb and vegetable garden that served the freshest of goods to their restaurant and staples at their successful stand at the Watkinsville Farmer’s Market.Peter’s demanding business sense, his desire to provide a superior experience for their customers, his shear joy of food, friends, life and love has insured the continued success for Maison Bleu. Not only directly contributing to a commercial Renaissance in the small Georgian town that he adopted, Peter had been, from its inception, the Chair of the Watkinsville Business Committee of the Oconee Chamber. His tireless advocacy and work for local downtown development will live on through his Restaurant and his many initiatives within that organization.Peter is survived by his wife Anne and daughter Alana Tamara Miller, his mother Nedra Hulseberg of Sabula Iowa, three sisters Kathy LaShelle of Hartland, Wisconsin, Sherry Andersen of Savanna, Illinois, Beth Andersen of Clinton, Iowa two brothers Harold Jr. of Charlotte, N.C. and Jeff of Savanna Illinois, his pets Jesse, Niki, Kysa, Saffie and Calla.He will be missed by many friends, the staff of Maison Bleu and the greater community of Watkinsville.His family wishes all those whom he ever touched and knew to enjoy a celebration of his life on Saturday October 15, 2005 at 7:00p.m. at Maison Bleu in the Town Center on Main Street in Watkinsville.Those wishing to provide a memorial the family requests donations be made to the Grace Foundation, 5 Harden Hill Road, Watkinsville, 30677 (706) 769-6132.