Andrew Opitz

Dear family,

Dr. Opitz was a beloved professor of mine, who was outrageously fun to discuss everything under the sun with. I once made a private bet with a friend that we could lead classroom discussion of a particular book without having read it, knowing full well that he would be able to fill in the gaps and reign in the discussion as we played with the lecture and made conjectures. It was a great day and still enlightening I read the book just the same afterwards. I looked him up in the hopes that I could share that secret with him, but it does not look like I can, at least, not now. Our world is strange in terms of what is and isn't possible, and if anyone knew that, it was him.

My heart goes out to you. Andy was brilliant.

Dear Maria (and of course the rest of the Opitz family), I've been thinking a lot about you the past couple weeks. My heart goes out to you, and I've been wishing you moments of laughter during this hard time.

I was pretty quiet at yesterday's memorial service. I've been reticent this past week as well except with close friends. I'm still processing Andy's passing. I just wanted to simply say that, in my various committee and leadership roles in the CSCL department all those years ago, I always appreciated his calmness and patience in (often contentious) discussions. He led by example and listened when others spoke passionately and always responded with equal parts conviction and tact. That's a hard balance to strike and I will always admire him for it. Rest in the same peace you brought to so many, Andy. And thank you.

Andy was a bright light of intelligence, insight, and relevance among his students and colleagues at HPU. Our prayers and sincerest sympathy to his family.

Dear Maureen & Mike,
No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child.I want to send my heartfelt wishes for healing for you and your family in this grief stricken time. Much love, Judy Phillips

Sorry for your loss. May God comfort and strengthen you at this sad time.

My most heartfelt condolences for to the Opitz and Lovell families. Andy was a wonderful human being and my thoughts are prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Maria, I did not know your brother but reading this short obituary about him makes me wish I did. I want to scream at the injustice of this lovely man - happily married, a man who achieved his PhD, and teaching in Hawaii - all of those great aspects of his life - taken away. It makes my heart hurt. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Prayers to all of Andy's family. I grew up in Rice and graduated with him. So sorry for your loss

Innovative and decent: Andy's students absolutely understood the remarkable assemblage of attributes that constituted the singular Andy Opitz. To a life well lived!

My condolences to the Opitz family. I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Your son/husband Andrew sounds like a wonderful,successful man. I am so sad he was taken from you so early in his life. May God Bless you through this most difficult time.
(I was a student of Mrs.Opitz- Maureen when I was a 7th grader at Pleasantview in Sauk Rapids in 1974.)I never knew Andrew but I know if he was anything like his Mother he was a WONDERFUL person.