Andrew (Andy) Wieling, Jr.

Andy Wieling was born in San Pablo to Andrew Wieling Sr. and Marjorie (Miller). He followed an older sister Carol. The family lived in San Pablo, enjoying the outdoor life of camping and hunting. Andy attended local schools, graduating from Richmond High School in 1959. He attended Contra Costa College earning an AA degree in Social Science (1962), and San Francisco State University earning a BA degree in Geography (1964), followed by an MS degree in Urban Planning (1966).

Andy completed ROTC training during college, and upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Based on his education in geography, he was assigned to the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center in St. Louis. There he worked on the moon landing maps in the Apollo Project. Known always for his wry humor, he jokingly was surprised the Apollo lander was actually able to land on the moon using his maps. He was soon promoted to 1st Lieutenant. After two years in St. Louis, he was reassigned to Wiesbaden, West Germany, joining the 497th Reconnaissance Technical Group supervising 96 personnel in all production phases of aeronautical charts and intelligence graphics. It was during this time that the USSR invaded Czechoslovakia, which made for tense times in Europe.

While posted in Wiesbaden, Andy coached the American Handball team, which was comprised of American airmen from nearby Rhein-Main AB who took up this German form of Handball, which was popular throughout Europe. Playing for the Wiesbaden Handball team was Angelika Lessing. After a brief courtship, Andy and Angelika were married in 1970. The newlyweds relocated to California upon Andy's separation from active duty with rank of Captain.

Also while posted to Germany, Andy enrolled in the University of Southern California Frankfurt extension earning a MS degree in Education/Counseling. His quest for continual improvement continued apace back in the Bay Area. He studied real estate principles, appraisal law, sales management, advertising theory, investments, and financial planning, including many seminars and workshops. His master's degree program at USC specialized in Encounter Group Therapy. He was a teaching assistant, helping with course preparation, research projects, and class instruction. He lent his counseling services to cadets at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs. Following his love of music, he instructed students in guitar, banjo, and music theory. Over the years, Andy would gladly take up his instrument and entertain whatever audience had assembled. Here, he was in his element.

While searching for a career in counseling, Andy dabbled in real estate sales, which was a segue to a 40-year career in residential and commercial real estate in the Bay Area. He built Locators into a real estate company with 12 offices in the East Bay. He was an active member of state and local associations, becoming president of the Association of Realtors, and Multiple Listing Service. For ten years he was chairman of the Contra Costa County Assessment Appeals Board, appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to conduct hearings and set values on properties ranging from homes to oil refineries. He served as an Arbitrator, Professional Standards panel member, and Designated Speaker for the National Association of Realtors. He was recognized for his work on the CAR-Tax Initiative legislation (1972), Realtor-Associate of the Year (1975), Realtor of the Year (1989), California State Assembly and Assembly resolutions for outstanding leadership (1990). During this long career, he provided expert witness testimony in the Superior Courts of Alameda and Lake counties, with various appearances in Small Claims Courts. Andy's pledge to all his clients, colleagues, and friends was simple: "Bottomline success in every business transaction requires focusing on your goal and getting the job done. Therefore, I pledge to maximize your profit potential by working to get you the very best value and save you on costs wherever I can!"

Andy travelled widely, and he avidly camped and hunted through the years. He was always on the lookout for retirement locations where he and Angelika could spend their golden years: Bodega Bay, Capay Valley, Middletown, St. Helena and Iselton. They eventually settled in Yountville, Rancho de Napa, where they have happily resided, and Andy has served as local Notary Public.

Andy is pre-deceased by his parents and sister. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Angelika; sister-in-law Birgit Lessing, brother-in-law Laird Brittin, and niece Annika Lessing Battleford, all of Saskatchewan, Canada; nephew Ross Farnsworth and niece Jennifer Hannon, both of La Pine, Oregon; and by cousins Sheila Farnsworth of Roseville, and Clark Fulthrop of Pahrump, Nevada. Including the extended Filippini families. Andy was intensely proud of his Dutch ancestry, and he maintained relationships with extended Dutch family in the Netherlands.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to preferred charitable organizations. A Celebration of Life will be held at Rancho de Napa Clubhouse, Yountville on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 2-5 pm.