Robert L Andrews

Did you ever hear the one about the witch that turned into a driveway? If that joke sounds familiar, you probably met Robert L. (Bob) Andrews. Every interaction he had with another person, no matter how small, was an opportunity for him to chase a laugh. In his 90 years on this earth, he was directly responsible for countless smiles, guffaws, knee slaps, and even some eye rolling. Okay, a lot of eye rolling. Remembering the husband, father, grandfather (aka Pops, Gramps), brother, uncle, great-grandfather, and friend that he was to so many is an exercise in joy. Joy in remembering how he might have helped you build or clean something. Or, remembering how he relentlessly, but affectionately, teased you about something. Mailed you something just because it reminded him of you. Showed you his latest and loudest Tommy Bahama shirt. Made you the perfect gimlet. Rifled through his toolbox to find the perfect tool to fix your problem. Revealed his newest driver that was going to perfect his golf swing. Answered a video call without a shirt on. The last time he hugged you fiercely as you said goodbye to him. Or maybe it makes you smile to remember his special lottery spreadsheet. The one he created to track every lottery jackpot he had purchased a ticket for. Accounting for payout options, and automatically calculating large purchases and the gifts he would dole out to kids and grandkids. Bob never did win the lottery, but as we reflect on our endless, cherished memories of him, we are reminded of one of his favorite films, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the angel Clarence’s quote that perfectly sums him up: “No man is a failure who has friends.” By that measure, he was the most successful man on earth. The real lottery winners were us, his family and friends. Bob was devoted to his family and continuously perfected ways to build special and enduring connections with each family member (Boys trips, wild socks, putt-putt, golfing and dining out at his favorite restaurants). His support was absolute and came without judgement or strings attached. We’ll pay his gift forward in-kind, by spreading love and joy in his honor, where and whenever we can. So please roll your eyes with us when we tell you that there is no punchline to the driveway joke. That was it, the setup, the punchline, the whole joke. You’re welcome to use it. Bob was born on April 25, 1934 in Port Huron, Michigan to George H. Andrews and Elizabeth E. (Sundburg) Andrews. He married Betty Lou Richmond in September 1956 and they enjoyed 37 years together until she died in 1993. Bob retired from Domtar Corporation (formerly Port Huron Paper Company) in 1996 after 35 years of service. In April 1997, he married Margaret (Peg) Armstrong, and, shortly thereafter, they moved to Ellenton, Florida and enjoyed more than 20 years of sunny weather, golfing, traveling, and making new friends. Bob died at his daughter Susan’s home in Chicago, Illinois on August 29, 2024 with family at his side. He lived his life to the fullest for 90 years, and, “Because We Knew You, We Have Been Changed For Good.” Bob is survived by his wife Margaret “Peg” Andrews; four children, Susan (John) Shirkey, Robert (Kathy) Andrews, Kathy Lee Scranton, and Thomas (Jesse) Andrews; two siblings, Richard (Linda) Andrews and Elaine (Bob) Bowling; brother-in-law James Richmond, eight grandchildren, Sarah and Kristen Shirkey, Kyle and Brandon Lee, Taylor and Trevor Andrews, and Kal and Weston Andrews; and four great-grandchildren, Marshall and Bennett Lee, Dylan Andrews, and Hattie Mae Lee. In addition to his first wife Betty, Bob was preceded in death by two sons-in-law Robert Lee and Steven Scranton. A memorial wake is being planned for Summer 2025 in Port Huron, Michigan. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.