E. Trent Andrews

E. Trent Andrews, M.D., F.A.C.S. Surgeon, inventor, outdoorsman - sailed into the San Francisco sunset on October 12, 2010, 8pm, after a long, valiant battle with Parkinson's Disease. As Parkinson's neared its latest stages and Trent became physically and then verbally incapacitated, he opted to spend his final years in his own bed at home, where he was cared for around the clock by his devoted wife Kaethe, a retired emergency-room nurse with whom he also used to work alongside. Trent hung on a miraculous 2 months without food, medicine nor machinery, subsisting solely on water and love until God's invitation to go yachting was too tempting for Trent, 73, to resist. An African-American born on December 14, 1936, and raised in Philadelphia by parents Enos and Gertrude Andrews, Trent was a graduate of Central High School, Lincoln University and Hahnemann Medical College. His internship was at Saint Joseph's hospital in Syracuse, N.Y.. It was in Philadelphia that he met and married Adrienne East; a son, Erik Trent Andrews, was born of this union. From 1963-67, Trent served in the U.S. Navy as a battalion surgeon with the Marines. While stationed at Moffett Field, in California, he met the late Marian Palmer, whom he married. After the Navy, Trent completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, then set up private practice in San Francisco. Trent was on staff and multiple committees at most of the hospitals around the Bay Area. He loved teaching and lecturing, becoming an associate clinical professor at U.C.S.F.. Always looking for ways to improve surgical techniques, Trent's active mind resulted in many patents for equipment related to his field. His best-known inventions are the ANDREWS SPINAL SURGERY TABLE and the ANDREWS FRAME, manufactured by OSI (Mizuhosi) for over 25 years and used worldwide. Trent had a trademark zest for life and enjoyed literally everything it had to offer; he called himself a "sampler." He was a member of Flying Physicians' Association, Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities, Grand Boule, Olympic Club and the St. Francis Yacht Club. Outdoor activities were Trent's passion, including running, tennis, skiing, scuba diving and especially sailing. He was able to combine work and hobby when he served as Medical Director for the Golden Gate Challenge for the 12-meter yacht, "USA," in the 1987 America's Cup at Australia. Music was Trent's other pleasure. Jazz and classical were the incidental music of his life; his son and prodigious grandchildren have inherited this talent. He was also an insatiable reader and world traveler, his most memorable trip being a month-long dog-sledding expedition to the High Arctic, N.W. Greenland, with his Danish wife, Kaethe. It was always a joy to engage Trent's lively sense of humor just to hear his hearty laugh. He loved good food, great wines and even better conversations with his friends and family. Trent is survived by his only child, Erik Trent Andrews (Joyce), sister Gertrude Baker, first niece Terri, twin grandsons Trent and Marcus, stepson Thomas Carter, lifelong friend Irad, several nieces and nephews and a host of faithful friends and colleagues. Our special thanks to everyone at Hospice of the Bay: Vicente, Tony, Alfred, Kelly and all the staff. An open memorial mass will be held for Dr. Andrews on Friday 10/29, 11am, at Saint Emydius church, 286 Ashton (near Ocean Ave.) San Francisco, followed by a celebration of his life at Trent's favorite hang-out, the Saint Francis Yacht Club on the marina. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Bob Hope Rd., Miami, FL 333136-1484, or to Hospice of the Bay, 1902 Van Ness Ave., 2nd Fl., San Francisco, CA 94109.