In Memory of Bob Andrews
Although for many years troubled
by a number of infirmities, Bob was
an artist blessed by God with a gene
for music. In his professional life,
he was a civil engineer developing
residential Municipal Utility Districts.
He was part of the team that built the
infrastructure for Sugar Creek.
Throughout his battle with Alzheimers,
the music stayed with him. He
was always good for his version of
"Misty." I remember attending a
piano concert at the church and Bob
playing the music on his lap. His fingers
trilled with the piano, and pounded the chords in time with the music.
At Park Manor he'd join the Heritage
Baptist service of sing along with their
song leader. A week ago,he sang a
gusty version of "Amazing Grace."
His adventures at Randalls grocery were
noteworthy. When he could no longer
drive, his trips to Randalls to ride the
scooters became a highly anticipated event.
The employees were unbelievably helpful.
They knew when he was in the store and
Pam kept her eye on him. At check-out
she'd check and chide him for the forbidden
sugar items he had snuck into his cart.
Meeting him at the curb, Max would help
him enter, reach the high shelves, restart the
scooters, and redirect him when he got lost.
For a number of years he carved decoy ducks in his
studio at home and often came up with political
cartoons. An unabashed storyteller, his imagination
always prompted him with mischief.
Because of his illnesses and handicaps, he had a
number caregivers that made his life more enjoyable.
Among these were Dr. Dandona, his primary physician
who would end his visit wagging her finger at him,
"No More Sugar." Beautiful Sam at Sundance welcomed
him with grace and humor; Kichen, Flo and Kelly at the
Wound Center kept him laughing; Celia, Miriam, and
Bella and his other caregivers at Alpha Home Health
brought cheer and hope. Terri the leader of the Mamie
George Community Center Activity Room brought art back
into his life. For five years our neighbor, Bob,
brought him a freshly grilled chicken each Sunday. The
Richmond Fire Department knew him on a first name
basis when I called for the lifts that kept him on
his two feet. HG and Carole were faithful friends and
included him in the Missouri City Friends of the Arts
concerts with a Baytown supper finishing the evening.
Chris and Ron remembered him with comfort and faith.
When he could no longer communicate as he would wish,
he'd tell the kind people who helped him, " I love you."
Although Bob's deafness made him unable to hear sermons,
he maintained a personal life with God. I'd hear him pray
at night, and sometimes as he closed, I heard him say,
"Amen. Hook em Horns." When his precious daughter lost
her bout with cancer and died this past spring, he was
devastated. With her picture and cross he made at the
Community Center, he prayed that he would find Jennie
and be with her in heaven. And now as his life has ended,
I pray for him, "God Speed."
------Bobi Andrews, December 30, 2015
