On Dec. 5, 2020, Walter L. “Andy” Andersen, devoted husband, loving father and revered Pop-Pop, passed away peacefully at the age of 88. Born in 1932 on a farm in Rock County, Nebraska to the late George and Agnes Andersen, Andy grew up with the land in his bones, a cowboy from the start and a cowboy to the end.
With pride and respect for his country, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and served until 1954. As his time in the Marines drew to an end, Andy was stationed at Naval Weapons Station Earle. As fate would have it, Andy was set up on a blind date with a young woman from Atlantic Highlands, Alice Augustine. Alice stole his heart, they were married June 16, 1955, and the rest is history. That small-town farm boy was to build a life in New Jersey.
Using the knowledge he obtained in the service as a diesel mechanic, Andy founded and operated Andersen’s Equipment Service for over 30 years. A farmer at heart, Andy obtained land and created, through his persistent work and dedication, Windmill Acres Farm. Out of Alice’s love of flowers and Andy’s love for Alice, Andy built a greenhouse for her. That one greenhouse led to five greenhouses and a staple business in the community for over 25 years.
Not only did they sell flowers, but Andy provided narrated hayrides with a history of the farm. Andy could be seen around the farm or town in his red Ford pickup truck, often with a loyal dog by his side. The love for the land and the pride for his own slice of Heaven continued to run through him until his last days.
Never one to find a challenge or task he could not master; Andy became a novice woodworker. This curiosity turned into a full-scale assembly line and workshop as he created from his imagination hand-made Christmas presents for his family ranging from old-fashioned toy boxes with wooden hinges to intricate candy dispensers.
Andy found joy in many of the little things in life. Whether strumming his guitar, reading a book or the newspaper, sipping a glass of wine, or fishing on his lake in Florida, Andy took the time that was given to him and lived it fully and without reservation. Andy was known by his family and friends to give thanks to God through wonderful blessings before a meal or at a wedding. He was perhaps the only person who could seamlessly turn a prayer into a “thank you” speech without losing a beat. His heart was simply too full for one thing at a time.
Andy was predeceased by his mother, father and his beloved daughter Kristen (William) Reuter. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 65 years, Alice. He is also survived by cherished daughters Karen (Bernie) Arnella, Kimberly (Kenneth) Greeley and Kelly Hillmann; 13 adored grandchildren: Linar, Laura, Christopher, Jannien, Joshua, Danial, Michael, Matthew, Jessica, Lucas, Jonathan, Zachary and Kathryn; as well as 15 great-grandchildren who brought a twinkle to his eye.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Posten McGinley Funeral Home, Atlantic Highlands. A private Internment took place for family only. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, your local Salvation Army or Billy Graham Ministries.
The article originally appeared in the January 14 – 20, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
