Thursday, April 9, 2026

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Cindy here. Many thanks to Tyanne, one of Andy’s college friends for sharing the following story. The college friends are known simply as “the roommates” but sometimes I refer to them as Andy’s College Army. Whatever we call them they are a very special group of people and FFL … friends for life.

Andy came into our lives during our sophomore year of college, and from the very beginning we just clicked. Some friendships take time to grow, but with Andy it was instant. He quickly became part of the center of our little world.

By our senior year, five of us girls were squeezed into a tiny two-bedroom townhouse. It was crowded, chaotic, and absolutely perfect. At the time we all had serious boyfriends, which meant that on weekends our little townhouse turned into a full house. Five guys and five girls packed into that small space made for a lot of noise, a lot of laughter, and plenty of roughhousing. Somehow it always worked, and somehow Andy was always right in the middle of the fun.

What none of us realized then was that those boyfriends would become our husbands. Life has a funny way of writing the best stories, and ours turned out to be one where those early college days became the foundation for a lifetime of friendship.

After graduation, life naturally became busier. Careers started, children arrived, and responsibilities grew. But one thing never changed: we stayed close. Luckily, we all ended up around the Chicago area, which made it easier to keep our tradition of getting together.

One of our favorite traditions was our annual New Year’s Eve celebration. It started in a little apartment in Rockford, Illinois. As the years passed and life evolved, the party moved with us—from the apartment, to the townhouse in Huntley, and eventually to the house in Crystal Lake.

Those nights became something we all looked forward to every year. We would gather with our families, bring endless amounts of food, and open plenty of bottles of wine. The kids would run around until they finally crashed for the night, and once they were tucked into beds or sleeping bags, the real celebration would begin. We would stay up talking, laughing, reminiscing, and ringing in the new year together—often into the early morning hours.

Through all those years we celebrated so many milestones together: weddings, birthdays, the births of our children, and countless special moments in between. Our families grew up alongside each other. Our kids grew up knowing one another. In many ways, we didn’t just share friendship—we shared life. There are far too many memories to list them all. But when we think about Andy, a few things always come to mind.

Andy was incredibly smart and unbelievably hardworking. He was determined and energetic, the kind of person who put his whole heart into whatever he did. He had a great sense of humor and a way of making every gathering more fun just by being there.

But more than anything else, Andy was loving. And if there’s one thing many of us will always remember, it’s the Andy hugs.

They weren’t quick, casual hugs. They were the kind where he wrapped you up in his arms and for a moment you felt completely surrounded by warmth. Getting an Andy hug felt like being wrapped up in a big ray of sunshine. It was genuine, wholehearted, and full of the kind of kindness that defined who he was.

In recent years, Andy faced the challenge of ALS with the same determination and strength that he brought to every part of his life. Even as the disease made things harder, his spirit, his humor, and the love he had for his family and friends never faded.

Watching him face that journey reminded us all of just how strong and remarkable he truly was. We feel incredibly lucky that Andy was part of our story—from those chaotic college days in that tiny townhouse to decades of friendship, family, and celebrations.

Our memories with him are countless, and they will stay with us forever.

And every New Year’s Eve, and every time we gather together, we know we’ll be thinking of him—smiling, laughing, and remembering just how bright his sunshine was. His warmth, his friendship, and those unforgettable Andy hugs will always be with us. 💙 NIU College Gang

TyAnne Schmidt