Roland "Andy" Andersen

1943 - 2020

BORN

1943

DIED

2020

About

Central Michigan University Lamar University

Roland Andersen Obituary

R.E. "Andy" Andersen "slipped the surly bonds of earth*" for the final time, Monday, October 19th. On "laughter silvered wings*" he has taken off on his final mission to travel "the high untrespassed sanctity of space.*" Andy was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 1943, but moved a year later to Beaumont, Texas, where he grew up. He attended schools in Beaumont from kindergarten through to his BA degree from then Lamar State College of Technology.

He "dodged" the draft by joining the Air Force. After basic training, officer training school, and pilot training he started an adventure that would last 21 years, taking him to a dozen countries and most of the 50 states as a pilot, instructor pilot, flight examiner, security police officer, squadron commander, and aviation mishap investigator and guest lecturer at the Royal Swedish Academy. During that time , he also earned his MA from Central Michigan University. His personal awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (8), Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal (4). He would follow that up with 14 years in the aerospace industry working in engineering, logistics, and human resources before he retired for a second time. Retirement gave him time to get involved in auto racing, to hone his culinary skills, and to travel to more states and countries.

He was predeceased by his father Charles and mother Agnes, of Beaumont. He is survived by his wife of over 49 years, Laurie, as well as his son David, daughter-in-law Stacie, and two charming granddaughters, Annabelle and Caroline. He is also survived by his brother Paul and sister Mary.

*From "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Beaumont Enterprise from Oct. 25 to Oct. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Roland Andersen

10 Entries

Paul Andersen

October 19, 2024

While you and Jackie were visiting, Vaughn (my son) came to visit you guys! I miss you all!

Paul Andersen

October 19, 2022

When Roland and I were young, living in Multimax, Mom would give us each a quarter on Saturday mornings. I would get my bike and pump us both to downtown Beaumont where we would go to a "kiddy" show. Usually a western with cartoons and a cereal episode. Ten cents got us in, fifteen cents got us a popcorn and a drink. Sometimes, weather permitting, we would go window shopping. Those were the days my friend, but they ended once we moved to South Park.

Kathie Calder

November 3, 2020

What a wonderful biography! Martin and I will make a donation to World Central Kitchen in his honor.

Jeff Pratt

October 30, 2020

Andy was a great neighbor and from our conversations over the years, I'm pretty sure he could have solved the world's problems if he was put in charge. RIP Andy. A donation has been made to World Central Kitchen in honor of his memory.

ZANE BLEDSOE

October 29, 2020

Great friend from our younger years. Groomsmen at our wedding.
Thank you Roland for all the memories.

Dawn Ferguson

October 29, 2020

We will miss our friendly neighbor and cookie lover. Andy was the best. Sounds like he lived quite the life. Laurie, you are loved and we are here for you if the girls and I can drop by. Our hearts go out to you during this hard time.

Paul Andersen

October 29, 2020

He was my hero!

Barry Hendrix

October 25, 2020

Andy and I were friends and worked together at Vought in aircraft safety engineering in the 1980s. We talked a lot about our military experiences - him being an Air Force Pilot and me being in Naval Aviation. In the early 1990s he brought his son David to visit me at the Super Collider as David had been accepted to the Naval Academy. Several years later as I was getting ready to move to Georgia, Andy and Laurie visited my home and talked about how David was a Marine Aviator! They were so proud. Andy owned an Alpine Tiger and I owned a Karmann Ghia and we joked that out two sports cars we the only ones used in the opening scenes of the TV Show Get Smart. Andy was a great American and decent human being. I hope to see him again.

Barry Hendrix

October 25, 2020

Andy and I were friends and worked together at Vought Aircraft Company in the 1980s. We talked a lot about our military experiences over lunch and on the job discussed lots of technical issues and how to make our aircraft airworthy and safe. He brought his son David out to talk with me at the Super Collider when he was accepted into the Naval Academy in the early 1990s and a few years later visited my home and shared how David had earned his Marine Aviation wings and was serving his country. Andy was a kind and gentle man who will be missed. God Bless his family.

Patty Irons

October 24, 2020

Laurie and Family,
I worked with Andy at Vought Aircraft on the B-2 Program. Andy was a very nice man to work with and always had a smile on his face. He was ready to help anyone at anytime, whatever they needed, you could depend on Andy. He was very proud of his son, David. His face lit up when he talked about him.

You all have wonderful memories of Andy, so let those memories comfort you in the days ahead as you grieve his loss, because with those memories he will never die in your hearts. Heaven has gained another angel to watch over us.

Patty Irons

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