Thursday, March 12, 2026

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Good morning. I’m Mike Havenga.

It is my pleasure to be a guest blogger on Andy’s blog today.  Andy wrote so many wonderful blogs for so many days, many which touched my and my wife Beth’s heart. Reading those first thing each morning was so important to us as they likely were to you too. I think we’d all agree that he was an extroverted person that everyone gravitated towards.  And he was thoughtful enough to document his journey with this shitty disease so we could all get a glimpse of what it must have been like, never fully understanding what he or Cindy were going through.  And for him to write these blogs hunting and pecking on his cell phone each day with failing fingers was remarkable.  He was so dedicated to getting it written and out to all of us on time.  What a warrior he was.

I first met Andy on one of those ordinary summer days when he and Cindy were walking Bear in our neighborhood, past my house.  He admired my ’68 Mustang in the garage and we introduced ourselves to each other. Andy’s easy laugh, and very noticeable energy along with Cindy’s sweetness (have you ever met anyone as sweet as Cindy?) made it so easy for me and Beth to become friends with them.  Pretty soon, the four of us would visit in the driveway during Bear’s walk and that led to drinks at our house or theirs. After a while, we were introduced to Barb and Mark, Joe and Donna, Fred, Nikki/Zach/Alex/Nicole, and many other acquaintances of theirs, all wonderful people. 

Not surprising, Andy and Cindy had a lot of friends.  Andy was always one for a get-together and he loved a ride in the Mustang with the top down, headed to Sew Hop’d Brewery or just a spin around town sometimes with poor Mark spread out in the back seat.  Andy and I enjoyed a few whiskey and cigar happy hours and it was those times where I got to know more about him.  His stories about growing up, his career, his hobbies, farming…..he was simply a “man’s man”. 

Andy brought a spark of fun and an adventurous spirit wherever he went.  Toward the end of his battle with ALS, even as he grew weaker and struggled, he never lost that spark or his positive attitude.  While we still see Cindy and Bear walking through the neighborhood many mornings, Beth and I will always be grateful to have met the three of them that one summer day.  Andy made a mark on everyone and we should all have a little of Andy’s spirit in our hearts as life goes on.  We will forever miss him. 

RIP my friend.  You led an exemplary life and raised two great kids.  And, in unison, may we all say, “F ALS”.

Mike