ASHLAND — After a couple of rough and deeply personal years of life, David Anderson smiles as he thinks about tomorrow while helping people keep their cool every day.

Anderson, a 1975 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, has been working in the heating and air conditioning business for the last three decades, with nearly 10 years of ongoing efforts on behalf of his own company, Anderson Heating & Air Conditioning.

The heating and cooling technician said he left Ashland after high school and took off for Florida with Steve Barber, Mike McKay and Taylor Eli with the band Evenstar, chasing his dream of being a drummer. He moved to Columbus in 1978, where he worked “semi-full time” as a drummer until 1995.

Oddly, Anderson said his introduction to heating and air conditioning work was the result of a last minute fill-in gig which ultimately got him a job in the field.

“Times got tough and I got older and said, ‘I’ve got to go back to school,’” he said, explaining he then studied HVAC or two years before starting his on-the-job education. “Out in the field is a lot of it.”

Anderson said he returned to Ashland in 1995 and worked for others for a while before launching his own company nine years ago.

“That was when I met her mom,” he said, looking back at his nearly 4-year-old daughter, Kali, as she worked to get a good grip around his neck. He explained he and Lisa Burd of Proctorville were together for six years when she was diagnosed with cancer. As her health declined, Anderson said he came home every two hours to help her. After her death, Anderson said he took about a year off work.

“Once I realized she was gone ... I just knew to take care of her. That parenting thing just kicks in,” he said, pausing to check his emotions as he spoke.

“Now, she’s getting ready to start her little preschool and I said ‘It’s time to fire the business back up.’ And, boy ... it’s been good,” he said with a warm smile, wiping his hands on the grass below after completing a task that involved digging and moving a heavy piece of concrete. “I know I will be able to provide for her in the future.”

With summer’s heat in high gear, Anderson said he is responding to calls of all kinds. “I’m getting it all, it seems like,” he said with a chuckle.

Anderson often brings his little girl to work with him, providing air-conditioned space in his work van which is stocked with devices for her amusement and entertainment. The proud father said he is especially pleased with her abilities on a computer, and along the way said he hopes to instill some old-fashioned ethics and values in the young lady.

“When things are really busy I take her to day care,” he said. “Otherwise she runs with me quite a bit. I enjoy her. I would rather have her with me.”

With his business booming and daughter growing up nicely, Anderson said he has also revived his musical ambitions, teaming up with guitarist Mark Carlisle to form a new band called Rothchild. The duo are looking for a bassist to round out their sound, he said, with plans of offering “just a rock and roll show for all audiences” with the highest degree of professionalism. As a drummer, Anderson cites influences including Alan White of Yes, Phil Collins and Kansas drummer Phil Ehart.

Considering his circumstances, Anderson said he is pleased with how things are now going, and hopes to continue building on that success. He is looking forward to the debut of a television commercial he wrote himself during a spurt of early-morning inspiration, continuing to grow his business and helping his little girl find her own way.

Looking at his daughter as she played, Anderson said his goals are actually pretty simple.

“I want to be able to take care of her financially, get her raised and have a nice home,” he said, before glancing around and whispering “And, find her a mommy.”

For more information about Anderson’s heating and air conditioning work, or to inquire about his latest band, call (606) 920-9443.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.