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Light a Candle
(We have started with a few pictures but would love it if everyone could add more as a tribute to the richness of Andy's life). Andy passed away after a three month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born and raised in Figgjo, Norway before moving to Zurich, Switzerland to earn a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from prestigious ETH University. After university Andy was recruited by Boeing in 1967 and moved to Seattle to work on their Super Sonic Transport program. Soon after, he met a Swedish flight attendant and married her in 1968. Despite the famous Swedish and Norwegian rivalry, Andy and Monica spent the next 52 years happily proving this to be a myth. Andy joined Polar Science Center in 1971 and devoted the next 40 years to exploring and furthering our understanding of the Arctic. These years of service made him a legend within the Arctic Community, and was formally recognized in 1991 by the Department of the Navy with one of their highest civilian honors "The Meritorious Public Service Award". He is survived by his wife Monica, daughter Pia, son Christian, their spouses, five grandsons, extended family in Europe, and his beloved golden retriever Odin. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to Hospice at Evergreen Health Foundation in Kirkland. Excerpt from Andy's favorite poem, "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service "There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trail have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee."
