Ex UMich athletic doctor being accused of widespread sexual misconduct

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Dr. Robert E. Anderson treated students at the University of Michigan for 24 years after being forced out of student health services for "fooling around with male students" in exam rooms, according to a police investigation.

The administrator who ousted Anderson as director of the University Health Service in 1979 was stunned to learn from police that Anderson continued as a doctor in athletics and other capacities, according to a police interviews with Thomas Easthope, then UM associate director of students. Anderson went on to be the top physician for the University of Michigan football team until his retirement in 2003.

The investigative documents make clear that officials at the University of Michigan were aware of sexual abuse allegations against Anderson, who died in 2008. It is not clear, however, why or how he moved as a practicing physician in another position at the university.

The records paint a sweeping account of alleged sexual abuse for decades behind medical doors, and other UM officials who heard rumors about Anderson but did nothing to address them.

The documents describe Anderson's 35 years at the University of Michigan as the director of the University Health Service, the team physician who was remembered in his 2008 obituary as "Dr. A." Some students had another name for him: Dr. "Drop Your Drawers" Anderson, according to the police report.

According to a document dated Aug. 13, 1979, Anderson was to be moved from his position as director of the health service to clinical instructor effective Jan. 14, 1980, with a reduced salary. From there, he served as the athletic department's top physician, serving football teams led by Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr.

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