Andrew Ponader

Andrew Downs Ponader, born February 14, 1992, died March 1, 2012. His family's greatest comfort is that his enthusiasm, quick-wit, confidence, intelligence, generosity, loyalty and kindness impacted so many in his 20 years. He is deeply loved. Andrew graduated from St. Richard's Episcopal School in 2006 and Park Tudor School in 2010. He attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and this semester transferred to I.U.P.U.I. Andrew's loves were many, most involved the joy of the company of his family and friends. Andrew loved music. As a freshman and sophomore in high school he was the drummer for the band Metzostatic. He played the role of "Kinicki" in his 8th grade musical "Grease," and sang in Park Tudor's choirs throughout high school, including the Park Tudor Madrigal Singers. Andrew played tennis and lacrosse, but was most competitive at ping-pong, spending hours upon hours in the family basement and lake house garage playing against his dad, uncles, cousins Conor and Trevor, and many friends, humorously coaching (or distracting) his opponent in every game. Though Andrew played very well, the fun of the game mattered to him far more than winning. When not in school Andrew thrived on the gratification and independence that comes from work. During the summer of 2007 he worked with his buddy Cameron at National Wine and Spirits, doing whatever manual labor the company required. He taught tennis for the National Junior Tennis League in the summers of 2008 and 2009 with his dear friend Brendan. Having developed an interest in environmental science, in the summer of 2010, he interned at Keramida Environmental. Last summer he was an assistant Kindergarten teacher at the Horizon's Enrichment Program at St. Richard's Episcopal School, also teaching his students French and gym. Andrew is survived by his parents Erick and Wendy Ponader; sister Margaret Ponader; maternal grandparents Dr. James and Audrey Wright; paternal grandparents, Mr. Wayne and Martha Ponader; aunt and uncle, Kim and Pat Egan; aunt and uncle, Matt and Nancy Wright; aunt and uncle, Jonathan and Jennifer Wright; aunt, Elizabeth Wright; aunt and uncle Carl and Theresa Ponader; aunt and uncle, Jonathan and Linda Ponader; aunt and uncle, David and Shelley Ponader, and cousins Conor, Trevor and Molly Egan; Lillian and Mary Grace Wright; Benjamin, Charles, Lucy and Adeline Wright; Christopher, Nikolaus and Samuel Ponader; Tristan and Colin Ponader; and Isabella and Lucia Ponader. Funeral services for Andrew will be Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 33rd and Meridian Street, Indianapolis. An additional celebration of Andrew's life, to whom all are invited, follows immediately thereafter at Woodstock Club, 1301 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis. Memorials in honor of Andrew may be made to the "Andrew Downs Ponader St. Richard's Episcopal School Memorial Award," c/o The National Bank of Indianapolis, Tricia Anthony, 4930 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, 46205. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan