Andrew James Beyer
Wednesday, August 6, 1969
Date of Death:
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Age:
49 years old
Visitation
Date: Wednesday August 29, 2018
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Thursday August 30, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Memorial Mass
Date: Thursday August 30, 2018
Time: 11:00 am
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Wednesday, August 6, 1969
Date of Death:
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Age:
49 years old
Wednesday, August 6, 1969
Date of Death:
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Age:
49 years old
Andrew James Beyer
Andrew “Walker” Beyer passed away Tuesday evening, August 21st at St Marys Hospital, following a fight with pneumonia and a severe lung infection.
Andrew was born in Rochester to parents Les and Elaine Beyer on August 6, 1969, with Down’s Syndrome, a congenital heart defect, a form of leukemia, and a life expectancy of a few days. Following that bleak prediction, Andy proceeded to laugh his way through 49 happy and hilarious years.
Andy is survived by his father, Les; sisters, Susan (Al) Lopez of NYC, and Beth (Mike) Nahlovsky of Shakopee; and his three nieces, Mya, Haley and Alicia. He is preceded in death by his mother, a brother, and a sister.
Andy was a proud graduate of John Marshall High School and an even prouder employee of Ability Building Center (ABC) where he trained and worked for over 30 years, earning their prestigious Lowry Award. Andy’s talents were most recently deployed to The Olive Garden where he was able to use both skills and his undeniable charm in a job he loved.
Nothing was more important to Andy than his family, and he would meticulously calendar each visit and holiday and then determine all the details. Whether it was a winter wonderland at Beth’s house or taking the Big Apple by storm, he wrung every bit of fun out of each moment and roped everyone he could into the adventure. His nieces were his pride and primary accomplices.
Andy was a fun magnet. If you knew him for five minutes you were a friend for life and required to send a birthday card. Card reminders began each year on August 7th. Repercussions for forgetting were severe.
Andy loved badges, letters in the mail, caramel sauce, the Statue of Liberty, housemates Matt and Eric, WWE, superheroes, Post Bulletin obituaries, the Vikings, Twins and NY Yankees, birthdays at Mr. Pizza, burritos at Fiesta, long socks, his movie and CD collection and pop. He was a friend to animals, particularly the family dogs and cats, and enjoyed golf, bowling, pool, arm-wrestling and a good haircut.
Besides all this, Andy was possibly the world’s greatest fan of Walker, Texas Ranger.
There was something about this character that he so admired, that he self-declared his name to be “Walker” and no one questioned it.
This month, Andrew Walker Beyer was sworn in at the Company F Headquarters in Waco, TX, as an honorary Texas Ranger.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 30th in the River Park Chapel with Father Russell Scepaniak officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m on Wednesday, August 29th in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. A luncheon reception will follow.
Donations to ABC are highly encouraged to continue their wonderful work.
Condolences
The family of Andrew James Beyer has received the following condolences.
- My sincere condolences to family and friends. May you find comfort in your loving memories, and in God's promise to soon "swallow up death forever" and "wipe away the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25;8) Rev 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
I am so sorry to see this! I have known Andy since he was 5 or 6. He was then as in his adulthood, the same smiley happy guy you described in the beautifully written obituary! I will never forget his smile or his laugh or how he would shake his head if he thought something was just ridiculous!! Andy will be missed by many and remembered with love & a smile! Peace & comfort to you all at this time.
Linda Carisch
Andy (oops..I mean 'Walker') was a very good friend of mine for many years. The world needs more Andys! He is definitely more than missed!
Susan and Family,
You are in my prayers. It was an honor to meet Andy and see his awesome smile! He really touched our lives here at Texas Rangers Company F. We see a lot of visitors but Andy was very special to us. He had such a sincere and kind heart. The world would be a much better place if we had more "Andys."
Thank you for sharing his life with us. It has been an honor to "ride the river' with Ranger Andrew James Beyers.
Dear family of Andy,
My JOY and SORROW is with you. I know Mom/Elaine was the great welcome for Andy, so we rejoice and shed tears at the same time. My privilege of having been Blessed by
the presence of both of them, and many of you. Elaine and I shared years of Health Care at Assisi Heights. Yes, many memories there.
Now, I hold you in prayer and much love. Hope to be with you Wed eve. We have a Sisters funeral at your Thursday time - so I hold both in God's Love.
Peace and all good , through Andy's life. Sister Carmen Sonnek
What a beautifully written obituary, your words captured Andrew perfectly. I remember visiting his home & how happy he always was. He will be missed by so many people he touched over the years.
I would like to offer my condolences to "Walker's" family and friends. It is my prayer that you all may find comfort in our promised future.
John 5:28, 29 assures us that the ones we have lost to the common enemy of death WILL hear Jesus' voice and come out of the memorial tomb. And Revelation 21:4 promises that we will never have to experience the pain of loss ever again. These things are made possible only by means of Jesus' great sacrifice of giving his own perfect life for our behalf. - Matthew 20:28
A time when there will be no more sickness. - Isaiah 33:24
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
Although I never got to meet Andy, I perceive that his tenderness and childlike ways were manifestations of our loving Creator. If the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handywork (Psalm 19:1), how much more the life of Andrew James Beyer. May God strengthen all of you in your time of grief.
Andy you will forever be in my heart it will be so hard going to the house and not getting my hug from you and your laughs. But I know God is taking care of you. I was blessed that I choose to come to see you at the hospital on Tuesday morning and not go to my other job. You will always be in my heart... I loved working for you with REM.
My prayers go out to Andy's family and to the Rem staff that cared for him and to ABC and anyone else who knew this loving young man.
Paula jacksonaderogba
Andy you will forever be in my heart it will be so hard going to the house and not getting my hug from you and your laughs. But I know God is taking care of you. I was blessed that I choose to come to see you at the hospital on Tuesday morning and not go to my other job. You will always be in my heart... I loved working for you with REM.
My prayers go out to Andy's family and to the Rem staff that cared for him and to ABC and anyone else who knew this loving young man.
Andy was a great person. He knew how to make people laugh and he had a great personality. I'm sorry for your loss. Andy was a very special friend of mine and he'll be missed by everyone who knew him
Andy, um Walker, was an incredible source of joy for me. Every time I saw him he would give me the biggest smile and act like I was the most important person in the world. I will miss his hugs, smiles and incredible sense of humor. My life is richer because Andy was a part of it.
I will miss you Walker but I’ll never, ever forget you.
Love you!
Julie