Andrew Berwick Jr.

1933 - 2023

Andrew Berwick, Jr.
December 24, 1933 - November 25, 2023
Andrew Struthers Berwick, Jr. "Andy" passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023, after a long, loving, and productive life. The son of Scottish immigrants, he was born in San Francisco on December 24, 1933, to Andrew Struthers Berwick, Sr. and Janet Spears Berwick (nee Miller). Andy attended University of Oregon (UO), joined ROTC, and graduated in 1955, with a bachelor's degree in business administration. At UO, he met Phyllis Elaine Pearson "Phyzz", the love of his life, where she graduated in 1956, with a bachelor's in education. They were both active in campus life, beginning what would be decades of faithful service to their community in a variety of leadership roles. At UO, Andy was a member and President of Beta Theta Pi and President of the Student Union. After graduation, he served three years in the Air Force. Andy and Phyzz married in Portland, Ore. on September 2, 1956. After about a year in Texas, they moved to March Air Force Base in Riverside, Calif., where their daughter, Jeanne Elizabeth was born in 1958. Andy reached the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged at the end of his tour. The young couple then moved to San Francisco in 1959. Their son, Andrew Struthers Berwick, III, was born in 1961. They have been residents of the Bay Area for over 65 years, living in San Francisco, Burlingame, Hillsborough, and San Mateo. After successfully running Berwick Extract and Wright Popcorn Companies, Andy founded Berwick-Pacific Corporation in 1965, a successful commercial real estate firm. Andy brought his steady, insightful, intelligent, and gentlemanly manner to his many leadership roles, which included serving as a director of four publicly traded corporations, councilman and mayor of Hillsborough, and a regent of the University of the Pacific. He also served on the boards (often President or Chair) of the San Francisco Symphony, Boys and Girls Club, Crystal Springs Uplands School, four hospitals, and UO Foundation. In 1987, he was named Hillsborough Citizen of the Year and San Mateo County Volunteer of the Year. He and Phyzz were actively involved at UO, especially as champions of the Oregon Bach Festival, with Andy serving as co-chair of the endowment campaign and where they established Berwick Academy, an orchestral training program that is tuition-free for selected musicians from around the world; an endowment for the festival's professional chorus; an endowed deanship at the UO School of Music and Dance; and Berwick Hall, a state-of-the-art performance space on the UO campus. They established the Richard C. Williams Endowed Student Leadership Fund in 2004, to honor Andy's college mentor and to support UO's leadership scholarships and programs. Andy received many awards and accolades for his service. He and Phyzz received OBF's highest award, the Saltzman Award in 2010, and UO's highest honors, the Pioneer Award in 2014. Andy never considered himself to be an artist, but he loved classical music and works of California Impressionism and Contemporary Art. He and Phyzz traveled the world, gathered family and friends around their dining room table, and savored classical music at home and in concert halls. Although reserved by nature, he had an impish spirit and a zest for life. Andy is survived by Phyzz, his devoted and loving wife of 67 years; children, Jeannie Berwick (Jim) and Andy Berwick (Merri); grandchildren, Daniel (Jenny), Ana Lucía (Bruce) and Elena (Chris); great-granddaughter, Stevie James and a second great-grandbaby on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Kurtz, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues, including the Kent and Krausz families of his former business partners John Kent and Amos Krausz. He was a beloved and loyal friend and mentor to many and showed us all how to live with integrity, humility, and commitment. We will miss him always, grateful for his life, love, and legacy. A memorial is planned for the spring of 2024, at Burlingame First Presbyterian Church.