Robert Andrew Anderson “Andy” passed away at Foulkeways on March 31, 2025, just weeks shy of his 91 st birthday. He was supported by the compassionate care of Hospice at Foulkeways in his courageous fight against congestive heart failure.
He was an active child, playing pond hockey, hiking and camping in the White Mountains or boating on New Hampshire lakes. Athletics continued to be central in his life at Deerfield Academy and Amherst College, where he played ice hockey and soccer. In college he also developed a lifelong appreciation of
literature and language, memorizing and reciting Shakespeare, Irish poets, and Joyce to the delight of his grandchildren.
After college, he served two years in the Army in Baltimore and San Francisco. Upon discharge he followed family tradition, and pursued law at Columbia, where he met his wife. He practiced law in New York and Boston for four years but it was not a workable career choice for him. With a growing family, he surprised everyone by shifting to medicine, studying at Temple University. He initially trained in pediatrics but found his calling in psychiatry.
Juggling family with career was difficult but taking his family skiing or mountain climbing could recharge him. On one trip he attended Mt. Rainier Mountaineering School traversing glaciers to the top. He also played tennis and racquetball with friends and briefly played hockey at the Wissahickon Skating Club.
In 1999, a nearly fatal heart attack on the ski slopes of Stowe gave him a second lease on life. He embraced it fully studying watercolor painting and enjoying a show of his work at Foulkeways. He also spent several summers with his children and grandchildren on grand adventures.
His wife, Betty, survives him as well as his sons Richard McLean, John (Karen) and Mark Andrew. as well and his grandchildren Katie, Ian (Grace), Ben and Finn.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Friends of the Wissahickon or the Appalachian Mountain Club.