Harvey Thomas Andreski

Harvey Andreski peacefully passed away at age 92 on May 31, 2025 in Windsor Heights, Iowa. He was born Harvey Thomas Andreski to Felix and Florence Andreski on August 21, 1932 in Athens, Wisconsin. He was an only child and lived with his parents helping on their dairy farm outside of Athens until he was 18. Growing up on a farm, he learned how to fix and repair things. He had a mechanical inclination that served him throughout his life.

After graduating high school Harvey enlisted in the US Navy and reported for basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base. Harvey served on the USS Blue (DD-744), a destroyer, in the Pacific 1950 - 1953 during the Korean War. He worked in the engine room and was a 3rd Class Petty Officer when his service was completed. In the Navy, he visited many countries; Japan, Taiwan, the Philippine Islands and more. He would often comment that having visited other countries gave him respect for other cultures and a more global outlook on the world.

After his service, he lived in Long Beach, CA and then Fort Worth, TX before moving to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1958 while scooping the loop in downtown Des Moines with his best friend, he met Arlen, his future wife. He told his buddy "That's the girl I'm going to marry." They married in 1959 and settled first in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. Later in 1967 moving to the suburb of Clive where they raised their 3 children. They were members of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines. Arlen predeceased him in 2014 after 54 years of marriage. In 2016 Harvey moved to Windsor Heights.

In Des Moines, Harvey worked as building engineer at Central Life Insurance, then Northwest Hospital. He became the Head Building Engineer at Calvin Manor Retirement Community where he worked until his retirement in 1997. After a couple of years, he went back to work part time as a school bus driver. He enjoyed driving a route for the Waukee School District until his 2nd retirement in 2011.

Harvey joined the St. Paul, MN wing of the Commemorative Air Force in the 1990s. His wing had a WWII B-25 bomber plane they restored and maintained. Harvey would drive up to St. Paul several times a year to help work on their plane. He became a flight engineer and would sometimes travel to airshows with the CAF. Later on, he shifted his time to a more local endeavor and became a docent at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum for many years. Harvey's many interests included WW2 history, Trains, Indy Car and NASCAR racing, Antique tractor and farm equipment shows and fishing. As a former farm kid, he loved taking a drive into the countryside to see what was growing in the fields.

Harvey is survived by a son, Michael (Kara) Andreski of West Des Moines, IA, a daughter, Susan (Brad) Bjerning of Glen Ellyn, IL, a daughter, Barbara Andreski of Chicago, IL. Grandchildren; Andrew (Samantha) Andreski of Des Moines, IA, Charles Andreski of Des Moines, IA, Travis Bjerning and Jackson Bjerning of Glen Ellyn, IL and great granddaughter Regan Andreski of Des Moines, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be at Merle Hay Chapel in Des Moines at 11:00 am on Thursday June 19th with visitation at 10:00 am. Private internment later at Iowa Veterans Cemetery by Van Meter, IA.

Memorial contributions may be made online at commemorativeairforce.org or to the charity of your choice.