Andrew Wicks

1963 - 2025

Andrew "Andy" Wicks was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Wesley Doane Wicks (Pete) and Nancy Claire Sterling Wicks. Here he grew up with his brothers Steve and James. His early years were spent in Oak Ridge and Aurora, Colorado before moving back to Knoxville during high school. His early years shaped a deep love of learning, sports, and community. A proud graduate of the University of Tennessee, Andy carried his orange spirit wherever life took him-often quite literally under a well-worn Vols cap.

At UT Knoxville, Andy's leadership and kindness shone early. As a two-year Student Orientation Assistant, he welcomed new students with warmth and humor, helping them feel at home on campus. In his senior year he was named a Torchbearer, the highest student honor the university bestows-an award whose creed, "One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others," became the guiding theme of his life.

Andy earned his B.A. in Religious Studies at UT, then completed an M.A. and Ph.D. in Religious Ethics at the University of Virginia. His academic path led him first to the University of Washington School of Business, and later back to UVA's Darden School of Business in 2002, where he became Ruffin Professor of Business Administration and Richard M. Waitzer Bicentennial Professor of Ethics.

At Darden, Andy was a beloved teacher, scholar, and mentor. His students remember him not only for his brilliance but for his humility and the way he listened-really listened-to their questions about how to live a good life. His perennially popular "Ultimate Questions" class inspired his final book, Ultimate Questions: A Stakeholder Guide to the Business of Your Life, published this past August. The book embodies Andy's lifelong belief that ethics and business, thought and action, heart and intellect, are not opposites but partners.

His colleagues at UVA describe him as "a cherished member of our community whose work left an indelible mark on Darden, on the Academy of Management, and on the business world." He served as director of Darden's Doctoral Program, the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics, and the Institute for Business in Society. His influence extended beyond the classroom into research collaborations with the UVA Medical Center on patient care and responsibility.

Outside academia, Andy was as vibrant as he was thoughtful. A lifelong soccer player, he competed through college and in adult leagues and was never without his golf clubs, his cap, and a great glass of red wine. Whether in Tennessee, Virginia, or abroad, he somehow always found another Volunteer-greeting them with a wave and his trademark call: "Go Vols!"

Andy met Cathy in 2006 and became his wife and partner of twenty years. They were devoted to the higher good and well-being in one another. Their marriage was marked by equanimity, living a meaningful life and shared purpose. They relocated to Colorado in what they expected to be their last year together and where he wanted to pass over. Together embracing the mountains and each day's grace.

Andy is survived by his wife Cathy; daughters Emily Wicks Hickerson (Ethan) of Richmond, VA, and Kate Wicks Barnett (Elliott) of Portugal; grandchildren Grace and Eliza; brothers Stephen and James Wicks; their wives and children Lahai and Poppy Wicks respectively. Cathy's children and grandchildren and a large extended family of students, colleagues, and friends who were illuminated by his example.

Andy died from Multiple System Atrophy of the cerebellum, a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects movement and the autonomic nervous system. He chose to donate his body to science to help the research on rare neurodegenerative diseases. Those wishing to honor Andy may light a candle in his memory on November 1-2 and consider a donation to missionMSA.org. He requested no services and for family and friends to celebrate his life by sharing a meal, meaningful dialogue and activities they enjoyed with him.

As one of his loved ones reflected:

"As one of my father figures, Andy modeled to me more wisdom, virtue, and curiosity than I can properly express. He showed me how to learn and teach with love, skill, and humility. Andy was a brilliant and celebrated teacher, and I can assure you he lived what he taught. In this way, he succeeded in a rare and special way-he made his own life-journey his ultimate question, and his walk, his answer."

No longer suffering, Andy has gone ahead in peace.

You did it, Andy. Go Vols! Go Hoos!