Terry Anderson, U.S. combat journalist and Iowa State alumnus, died at 76 on April 21 in Greenwood Lake, New York.
According to the Associated Press, Anderson’s daughter, Sulome Anderson, reported that Anderson passed from complications of recent heart surgery.
Anderson, an Associated Press correspondent, was one of the longest-held hostages from the U.S. after being taken from a street in Lebanon in 1985 and held for nearly seven years.
Freed Dec. 4, 1991, Anderson is one of multiple hostages who were taken by the terrorist organization Hezbollah.
Anderson was close with Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication professor Michael Bugeja, who draws from Anderson’s life of experience to guide the career paths of student journalists at Iowa State.
“He is to me the epitome of a journalist. Terry’s legacy was the ability to endure the most horrendous type of imprisonment you can imagine, to come out of it and teach journalism with a zeal that inspired generations,’” Bugeja stated in an email response.
Anderson and Bugeja met in 1970, both began about the same time in the wire service news industry. Bugeja worked for United Press International, and Anderson worked for its competitor, the Associated Press.
“When he was kidnapped by Shia Hezbollah militants, I feared for his life,” Bugeja stated.
Bugeja recalls praying for Anderson every Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church in Athens, Ohio.
“When he was released, I was overjoyed, like the rest of the nation,” Bugeja stated.
Bugeja stated when Anderson was asked how he endured almost seven years of torture, he responded with the Bible and poetry.
His connection with Anderson blossomed through a shared admiration for war correspondent and journalist Kate Webb. After Bugeja wrote a poem about Webb’s similar hostage story, he reached out to Anderson, sharing the poem and proposing to include Anderson’s own work in an upcoming book project. Anderson’s positive response sparked a friendship.
According to Bugeja, Anderson struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder when he returned to the U.S.
“I witnessed it on 9/11 2001. When the attacks occurred, Terry and I were teaching journalism at Ohio University,” Bugeja stated.
Bugeja immediately thought about Terry, despite the terrorist attack, went to a local florist in Athens, Ohio, to buy two dozen yellow roses and brought them to Anderson’s ranch.
“He answered the door in a panic attack, and those roses brought him back down to reality. We hugged and our bond grew stronger,” Bugeja stated.
Bugeja stated Anderson’s life changed rapidly as he transitioned from hostage to “national hero.” Anderson was awarded $24.5 million by a U.S. federal judge for his pain and suffering in Lebanon.
“That was a lot to experience, but he persevered as [a] professor. He taught students brilliantly, and in some sense, they saved him as poetry did during his captivity,” Bugeja stated. “Teaching, by the way, also saved me. That’s why I do it at age 71.”
Bugeja stated Anderson’s and Webb’s messages still inspire students.
“It takes courage to report the truth,” Bugeja stated.