Deceased October 19, 2017
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In Memory
At age 92, after a lifetime of contentment, teaching and humanity, Andy passed away on Oct. 19 in New Hampshire. He suffered congestive heart failure for four years, was diminished physically but was still sharp as a tack, Janet told me, until the end, composing letters to the New York Times, planning to teach another course and enjoying his granddaughter’s wedding in September.
After two years at Washington & Jefferson College, he came to Amherst, where he studied philosophy and Greek, joined Beta and soon began a lifetime of teaching, mostly mathematics. He taught at all levels, fifth grade to college freshman. He and Janet were married in 1954 while teaching at Hamden Hall in New Haven and then were at Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut for 20 years. Andy was a frequent speaker at math teachers’ meetings and authored several articles in journals.
His interests included classical piano, guitar and recorder. Active in scouting, he joined a troop in 1937 and held most of the possible positions for volunteers, serving as scoutmaster of seven different troops in four states, only retiring at age 70.
Not surprising was his everlasting love of the outdoors. He considered nature study his principal “hobby” and was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Since moving to New Hampshire, he was an enthusiastic attendee at the Learning Institute at New England College in Henniker, where he taught courses in philosophy and art history.
Anchoring this wonderful life was his Quaker faith and his participation on boards of historical societies in the state, working with a homeless shelter and food bank. Those of us who have spent our careers in the field of commerce look upon Andy’s life with true admiration—an inspiring Renaissance Man. What a credit to our class.
Gerry Reilly ’49