I've been pondering exactly what to say about Andrew since I found out he was gone....not missing but actually gone. Maybe because its so unbelievable or maybe because a being, a force as strong on the planet just never dies. Either way its incredibly hard to accept. My daughter, Sam called Andrew her brother and best friend. He certainly was that and so much more to her and obviously so many people that he graced with his presence.

I have several faded memories of him and Sam over the years that include some very questionable driving, loud music, even louder political discussions, cigarette smoke, short treks into the woods, lots of pyrotechnics, tomahawk throwing, gun shooting, super secret special ops mission planning, pep talks, his fierce love for his family, holiday traditions, cursing and tons of laughter. That smile he had was infectious and clever, like he had a secret. They always got together and talked about their "5 year plan".. what they were going to do, the places they'd visit, etc. I'm pretty sure she will still talk to him, I sure hope so!!!

Andrew was a godsend to my daughter, Sam. He taught her how to drive and you'd never know it because she drives like an old Lady, exactly the opposite of him. He helped her through rehab and supported her constantly and to his credit she is still sober, 9 years now. He had a calming effect on her and reached her in ways we never could when she needed it the most. When it came time for her to leave for college Andrew gifted her a AAA membership so she'd be safe away from home. What a thoughtful thing to do. That was Andrew, an angel on Earth. I'm so grateful that we knew him.

Cindy Franco

I am so grateful to have known Andrew for the few years we overlapped in Chicago. I had been good friends with Kat, and the moment Andrew arrived in town he was strong-armed right into his sisters friend group. I’ll project my own feelings and say that he was the brother we all wish we had. Andrew and I also bonded over our work in the Chicago DSA and satirical banter on the state of capitalism. I have many joyful memories of Andrew jumbling around my head right now, so I’m just going to mind dump a few of them here without any narrative structure:

• Andrew showing up to help pass out trick or treat candy in my suburban neighborhood in his Halloween costume “an undercover cop”

• When I hosted a backyard blow-up-pool party, Andrew lounged alongside us with his vacation read- a book on the history of child labor. We all agreed “this is the most Andrew that Andrew has ever Andrewed”

• Showing up to Kat’s apartment to the opening line of “Andrew and I have to tell you about a bit we just came up with” (this happened often)

• Andrew’s vision for a musical theater production on Fidel Castro

• The gift of hearing Andrew’s pipes at karaoke night- Leroy Brown and Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) being his greatest hits

As you can see, I was never not laughing when with Andrew. Many more of these memories will float into my brain in the coming weeks and months and I hope to share them with you when we cross paths.

Alanna Geoghegan, friend

It was a privilege and an honor to have been his friend. I want to tell you how much kindness, amusement, and comfort Andrew brought by his presence. How his mannerisms and measured intensity made classes so much more colorful and alive. There were many, many times when, because school was so difficult and ego-bruising, I would feel insecure and depressed, and I would feel defensive or withdrawn because I felt I couldn’t let anyone find out that I felt weak. But around Andrew, I never felt like he would judge me or make fun of me in a mean spirited way. Even his ribbing and teasing was encouraging. If I was feeling down in the dumps, running into Andrew was one of the best things that could happen. Happy times were well shared with him, too. Laughter, stories—sharing them with Andrew was a worthwhile investment. I fondly remember the banter, the vulnerable stories about our pasts, going to a bar and drinking Malört, playing games or theorizing and practicing for exams in the student lounge, and sharing a cigarette break outside the building. I’m sorry. I will miss him.

Robin Rubrecht, classmate and friend, Chicago-Kent College of Law

I don’t remember the first time I met Andrew, but I believe it was at Charlotte and Joel’s apartment at North City Six, soon after I first had the honor and privilege of meeting my (now) husbands friends. Just like it was with the rest of them, the first time I got to meet Andrew, I felt right at home and knew I had found my people.

The first time I met him, he had that usual sparkle in his eyes as him and Joel recounted one particular adventure that involved a gun shot through a counter… and I’ll leave it at that. (Nobody was harmed in the making of this memory.)

Andrew always had that sparkle in his eyes. I always enjoyed finding out what mischievous scheme or brilliant plan was behind that sparkle, always buzzing in his mind right under the surface, like the bubbles rising up in a champagne flute. There was truly never a dull or lonely moment with Andrew. He had the uncanny ability to truly see people, and to make them feel instantly welcome, curious, challenged, hopeful, and more ambitious.

I remember many nights spent drinking fireside chat (beer) with Andrew and sitting outside at a bar or bottle shop, or at one of our apartments. Charlotte or one of our other friends would say “Noelle, come on, he will go on forever!” but I would always keep asking him questions and listening. I enjoyed learning from him and examining different angles of ideas, philosophies, and dreams together.

I remember one time I found myself in a particularly unpleasant job, and he quickly and completely sided with me, looking very carefully over a contract I had signed, telling me how to get out of this job. He was just like that- your problem was his and he would fight and advocate until it was solved. This would no doubt make him an amazing attorney.

Andrew was truly one of a kind. Larger than life. Brilliant. And so, so loved.

He also loved his people fiercely. There wasn’t a time we hung out he wasn’t proudly sharing stories about his parents or sisters, and even extended family. He LOVED Matt, Teresa, Kat, and Charlotte, and of course, his best friend Sam. He loved his brother from another mother, Joel.

He loved the fram. He was amazed and so glad Charlotte actually had a girl friend (me!) He absolutely delighted in his niece Piper.

He passionately chased his convictions and dreams. The world was a better place with him in it. My life became brighter, richer, and deeper because of him. He will forever be missed and remembered. May we remember our lives around the example of his. Andrew, I love you friend.

Noelle Bass, friend

Andrew and I went to law school together and we co-authored a paper that won an award our second year. Each student in the class wrote an initial draft, then we picked partners and did a final draft of one of them. I think Andrew scored a 98% on the first draft, so we picked his paper to re-write. We ended up getting an award for having the highest grade in the class, and he insisted that I earned it just as much as he did, even though we both knew he wrote almost all of our paper. I always felt like I owed him one for that, and I appreciated his humility and generosity. I am very sad to hear that he passed away, and I will remember him fondly.

Julia Martin, Chicago-Kent College of Law

I will always cherish my 13 years at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, and as a pastor for the Hale family. They were always supportive and a source of encouragement to me during my time there. Andrew, and my son, Tim, played on the same soccer team in Wake Forest when they were young boys, and became friends. Tim would go over to Andrew's house from time to time to play video games, hang out, and eat dinner. The Hales were wonderfully hospitable. I remember when I would pick Tim up, he would tell me over and over again, "Dad, the Hales have the coolest house ever!" I am so very thankful for having known Andrew. His mind worked very different then most people I knew. It was like he was playing chess and everyone else was playing checkers. I am grateful for the privilege of having been his pastor, and of welcoming him into active membership at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church through our 8th grade confirmation class. Beyond that, I am grateful for his faithful service to our country, defending the freedoms we so easily take for granted. Finally, I pray for God to bring his perfect peace and strength to the Hale family, and hope they find comfort in Andrew's life, and his new life through Christ's resurrection. Andrew, well done, good and faithful servant!

John Hartman, Pastor

Andrew was one of my best friends at Kent and in general. I wish we lived closer to each other and I wish I had more opportunities to spend time with him and to speak with him. I would give anything to hear his voice one more time. Even during his darkest hours, Andrew always made sure to ask how I was doing. He was beyond selfless, to a fault. He cared about other people more than he cared about himself. He was passionate about the problems plaguing our society and was deeply invested in being part of the change. I admired how he enjoyed the simple things in life, whether that was a walk around the neighborhood, a good drink, or a funny meme. I will miss his history lectures and his political jokes that I often did not understand. He taught me so much. He made me want to become a better student, a more aggressive lawyer, and a kinder human being. I saw the empathy he had for others and for issues that did not even necessarily affect him, yet he still cared. I hope Andrew knows that he mattered to me, and to others. His presence was loving and secure, and the world is by far a worse place without him.

Paloma Yanez, friend and classmate, Chicago-Kent College of Law

He was my best friend and brother. One of the most passionate humans I'll ever know, Andrew played a huge role in becoming the person I am today. He taught me so much about myself and the world in the 8 short years we had together. He always had an appreciation for the small things in life. Even when it seemed like everything was crumbling around you, he always had an uncanny ability to get you focusing on the positive. He wanted to see everyone around him succeed and always encouraged you to strive to be a better version of yourself. An empath who tried to understand everyone he spoke to. He was easy to open up to and somehow made you feel safe and secure in doing so. He was a broken, grumpy old man most days, at least while we were in the Army, but it never stopped him from taking the time to listen and provide wisdom at just the right moments. My partner, Jordan, once described Andrew as a fluffy grey cat with a chunk missing from its ear, and a scar across its face from fighting a bird of prey. He lives behind a bar and is friends with the chef. He has deep yellow eyes and sits atop a dumpster, heavily judging people that come and go. I remember his deep laughter so vividly when I told him this, and I couldn't agree more. Andrew was the embodiment of "larger than life." Always intense and slamming his fists on tables when making a point; rarely ever to intimidate, but he certainly reveled at times in knowing that it did. He taught me to be the smartest person in the room and not make a point of it unless necessary. The way his brain operated was like a game of chess, always a few steps ahead. One of the most intelligent people you'd ever meet; so much so that I often heard others say he was "too smart for his own good." Andrew could tell you about nearly any geopolitical event in the last 100 years with an understanding that constantly amazed me. If he didn't know enough about current events you asked about, he would usually come back to you within 24-48 hours with an essay that walked through the history of why that event was taking place. The best intelligence analyst around. I have so much more to say about Andrew, but I'd probably write a mini novel so I'll end with one of my first memories of him: I showed up to 1-73 CAV in 2014 with a broken collar bone. Andrew recently broke his ankle on a jump and was stuck being my chauffeur in his little, green beater of a truck that he drove like a race car. He always had good jams playing and talked about anything that was on his mind. Just a couple broken dudes angry at the world smoking and having fun. As I am writing this, "X Gon' Give It To Ya" came on, and I can't think of a more fitting song. If DMX came on, you better be ready for him to crank that shit up and have an absolute BLAST for those three and a half minutes. I love you so much, Andrew. I just wish I could hear your voice one more time. I'll see you at final manifest, buddy.

Kalib Perkins, 82nd Airborne Division

Andrew's presence and perspective gave me hope during law school days when hope was scarce. From our first day on, I admired his ability to hold big, strong views about the world without needing to make any argument personal or ever talk down to anyone. I still aspire to be more like him in that way. I'm extraordinarily saddened to learn of his passing. Rest in peace, Andrew.

Adrienne, classmate, Chicago-Kent College of Law

He was a wonderful person and I hate how sh*tty the world is to special people.

Andrew B, friend