Dr. A. Thomas Andrews III

Dr. Albert Thomas Andrews III, aka Tom; Pop; Pop Pop, made his final transition peacefully the morning of July 14, 2024, he was 81. Tom was surrounded by his loving family in his final days. Though he spent most of his life in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the final years were spent under the loving care of Garden Terrance Nursing Home in Chatham, New Jersey.

Born October 7, 1942, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Albert Thomas Jr. and Lydia (Evans) Andrews and the brother of David Andrews (Arlene Walker-Andrews) and Alice Andrews (Laird Holby). Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years Sheron (Tombesi) Andrews and leaves behind his four children Evan (Angela) Andrews, Jennifer (Bo) Landress, Lisa (Jim) Ruddy, and Josh Andrews. He was a beloved Pop Pop to eight grandchildren Alex and Isaac Andrews; Garrett, Madelyn, and Colton Landress; Kyle, Keira, and Brady Ruddy and his faithful dog Sibley. He is also mourned by a host of loved ones who were touched by his unfailing kindness and generosity.

After graduating from Westtown School in 1960 Tom went on to study at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1964. From there he attended Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating with honors in 1968. His Internship, Residency, and Fellowship were done at Harrisburg Hospital and completed in 1973. At the end of his training, he stayed on as Director of the Educational Programs in the Department of Medicine at Harrisburg Hospital and the following year he became Chair of the Department of Medicine. He did this for the next ten years, with a practice in hematology and medical oncology along with Dr. Shashikant Patel, a doctor who had gone through training with him at the hospital. Tom became board-certified in hematology, and medical oncology and a fellow in the American College of Physicians and dedicated his life to helping others. Along with Dr. Patel, they started Andrews and Patel and Associates in 1985. Wanting to care for families in a homelike environment, their practice was built out of a residential home and the style was maintained through the years.

In working with cancer patients, Tom had first-hand experience with the end-of-life and showed tremendous concern about care for the dying. To that end, he was a founding member of Hospice of Central PA (1979), whose mission is to provide the highest quality of emotional, physical, and spiritual support with compassion and respect. This agency was one of the pioneers of the hospice concept nationwide and the first hospice in Central Pennsylvania. He served as the Medical Director for 10+ years. In 1994, the A. Thomas Andrews Award was initiated, and he was the first honoree. Every year since, it is awarded to someone who has made a significant contribution of time, talent, or treasure and has a long association with and an ongoing commitment to the agency.

Tom was an avid naturalist and birdwatcher - traveling to every continent and countless countries in search of specific birds to add to his life list. He had seen, photographed, and journaled approximately 6,000 species of birds in his lifetime. His love of nature, birdwatching, and traveling has passed on to his kids and grandkids. Tom was often seen with a pair of 'bins' (binoculars) around his neck looking up to the sky. Tom would write detailed journals following each of his trips. Below is an excerpt from one of his journals that beautifully summarizes his passion:

"Today was a wonderful day, but even more than that, an extra special day. Clearly, the best day of this trip. But when you travel and enjoy nature and the out of doors, sometimes it all falls together, where surprise and wonder lasts and lasts. It's not just seeing a rare or sought-after bird or having a nice photo spot or having a good time. Sometimes it is the continued stimulus when seeing, enjoying and appreciating the very special spots on the earth at the right moment."

The family of Tom will be gathering to celebrate his life, and they would be honored if you would join them. The celebration will take place on Sunday, July 28 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Harrisburg Hilton, One N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101. For those who are interested, there will be an opportunity to make brief remarks or share remembrances.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

- Hospice of Central Pennsylvania

- Audubon Society

- Alzheimer's Association