Tuesday, January 21st, 2025
Gary Andrew
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Gary M. Andrew, Ph.D, a jack of all trades (master of most), wonderful storyteller, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. Gary had been living with Parkinson's Disease for several years. He passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, at the age of 86, surrounded by his devoted family.
Born on June 4, 1938 in Celina, Ohio, Gary's journey was marked by an insatiable curiosity and a passion for improving the world around him. His extraordinary work ethic and innate genius allowed him to earn his BA, BS and PhD. By age 26, he was teaching graduate school at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis with joint appointments in the Department of Statistics (College of Liberal Arts) and the Department of Quantitative Analysis (College of Business Administration).
He moved to Boulder, Colorado with his wife Pat and their three daughters where he began his work as the Director of Planning for the four-campus system of the University of Colorado ("CU"). At the age of 34 and after less than two years in planning at CU, he was appointed Vice Chancellor for Administration and Planning, responsible for all non-academic and athletic functions of this major university.
After seven years in administration, he resigned from the University. Along with his wife, Pat, and a former graduate student, they formed and developed a successful statistical mapping company (Infomap, Inc.) selling mapping systems and providing mapping services to 23 of the world's largest oil companies. In 1983, Infomap was purchased by Rand McNally. After the sales of Infomap, Gary and Pat started the successful consulting company known as Andrew and Associates.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Gary was a farmer at heart, finding joy and purpose in the land. He brought his engineering mind and farmer's spirit together to re-invigorate Excelsior Orchards, a large diversified but bankrupt fruit orchard near Paonia, Colorado. In 1993, he and his wife moved there, and the family converted the orchard to a thriving organic farm. He operated the orchard for seven years; then put the property in a conservation easement, sold it and moved back to Boulder to be with family, and continue his consulting business.
During the career paths outlined above, he became an instrument rated private pilot, has helped restore an historic hotel, and continued his hobbies of pro bono consulting, real estate investing, hunting and fishing. Gary's life was enriched by his enduring love for his wife of 65 years, Patricia (Patty Pooh), with whom he built a life of deep partnership and shared values.
He is survived by his wife, Patrica Andrew, his daughters, Gigi Andrew, Julie Andrew (Jeff Hoobler) and Cheri Andrew (Randy Daake), grandchildren Megan Daake, Kayla Daake (Curtis Doemel), Spencer Daake, Lauren Robb (Colin Coleman), Zoe Robb (Dalton Herrin) and Parker Hoobler, and his great grandchildren Tanner Daake and Cora Doemel.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Kennith and Zelma Andrew, his sister Dorothy Jayne and his brother Richard Carlisle. The family are deeply indebted to the extraordinary caregivers that provided an abundance of loving and patient support during the last part of his life.
Gary, also known as Doc, leaves behind a legacy of hard work, wisdom, and a great humor that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of his extraordinary life will be held in the late spring of 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Davis Phinney Foundation (https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/support/ways-to-give/).
