Pal Anderson
May 15, 1922 – February 10, 2019
We are deeply saddened to share that Avoya Travel Chairman and Founder Pal Anderson passed away Sunday, February 10 at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Pat; his sons, Van and Brad; and his eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Pal is remembered as an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a dreamer and pioneer. His zest for life, passion for travel, and appreciation for people and relationships left enduring impressions on all who knew him.
Born on May 15, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Colorado, Pal valued family above all else and was a traveler at heart. He attended the University of Colorado before serving in the United States Navy during World War II where he participated in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. After his service, Pal finished his BA in Economics and moved to Washington to work in his family’s automobile business. In 1950, Pal married his loving and supportive wife Pat. Together they raised their two sons, Van and Brad, and took on life as one great adventure.
Always an idea man who embraced change, Pal has had a profound impact on his family’s travel business.
Pal and Pat first entered the travel industry in 1964 while living in Hawaii when they purchased and ran a Hawaiian tour company. After moving to California, together they opened a retail travel agency in Escondido, which eventually became Anderson Travel and Cruises with 10 retail locations throughout San Diego. With the changing tide of the Internet, the family’s brick and mortar travel agency chain evolved into the innovative and award-winning travel company known today as Avoya Travel.
Pal’s wanderlust and core values have been passed down to his children and grandchildren, who are now at the helm of the travel business that he and Pat created.
One of the greatest honors in Pal’s travel career came in 2014 when he welcomed many colleagues and friends to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his family’s business.
The entire Avoya Travel family extends our deepest sympathies to Pal’s wife, Pat, and his family.
Pal’s life was celebrated at a private service on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to www.Tourism Cares.org. The family fondly notes that aside from a donation, Pal’s wish would be for friends and family to see and experience the world together through travel.
Today, Avoya Travel is one of the most awarded travel companies with a longstanding reputation for being one of the world’s most innovative travel brands. With an elite Network of over 1,250 independently owned and operated travel agencies, Avoya provides a better vacation planning experience for travelers by combining modern technologies with the expertise of travel professionals. Cruise lines and travel industry partners continuously recognize Avoya’s ingenuity and success with Travel Partner of the Year awards and accolades for best-in-class innovation and leadership.