WEST BERNE — Perry Jack Anderson, a pioneer in non-destructive atomic testing and a community leader, died on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. He was 83.

He was born on May 21, 1921, the son of the late Jack and Lillian Anderson. He was born and raised in New Holland, Ohio. He grew up on his uncle’s large pig and beef cattle farm, and attended Ohio State University, majoring in agriculture.

In 1951, he moved to West Berne, to do his internship on a farm. “He fell in love with the farmer’s daughter, Eva Mae Bunzey,” his family wrote in a tribute. Together they had three sons and were married for 40 years.

“Farming didn’t pay the bills,” his family wrote, so he went to work for General Electric at Knolls Atomic Power Lab. “He was a pioneer in the field of non-destructive testing with the use of ultrasonic. He worked at Knolls for 40 years, attaining level 3, expert in his field.”

Mr. Anderson was a long-time resident of West Berne. He was a devoted Christian and life member of the Beaverdam and Berne Dutch Reformed Church. He was a longtime Mason from the Berne Masonic Lodge. He also served on the Knox Town Board as councilman and town justice for more than 20 years. When he retired, he moved to Florida where he enjoyed boating.

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He is survived by his three sons, Robert Anderson of Rotterdam, New York, Richard Anderson of Edmeston, New York and his wife, Gabby, Donald Anderson of Taveres, Florida; and Adelaide Larsen of Westerlo, mother of Perry and Eva Mae Anderson’s two grandchildren, Jason Anderson and his wife, Jodi, of Altamont, and Laura Stevens and her husband, Dan, of Schoharie; and his great-grandchildren, Sydni and Kaci Mae of Altamont and Luke and Jack of Schoharie; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents died before him, as did his wife, Eva Mae (née Bunzey) Anderson.

Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Berne Reformed Church, 1664 Helderberg Trail, Berne, NY 12023 or to Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308.