My husband and I worked with Andrew at Wesleyan admissions when we were students (I remember he was a tough last interview!), and then often caught up with him when we returned to campus to visit. He always remembered little details about our lives and made us feel welcomed back into the Wes community. He was a warm, thoughtful person who will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing to his family and all those who knew him.

I had the privilege of knowing Andrew at Wesleyan, largely through baseball. We did not know each other well, and didn't stay in touch after college, but I was heartbroken to hear that he has passed. I remember him very well. He had a warm, happy presence, and a great sense of humor, and always struck me as a stand-up, terrific guy. Sending nothing but the best to his family.

By the end of his first week at the Trust, Andrew had already become one of my favorite colleagues. The phrase “positive energy” does not suffice—he was so *generous* with his energy, always saying hello to us at the front desk and stopping to talk when he had a moment to spare. The second-to-last time we talked, he told me he and his family were moving right around the corner from where I used to live in Somerville, and I told him what a pleasant, family-friendly neighborhood it is and about my favorite taco place on Broadway, picturing him taking his kids there for lunch. It seemed like every time I passed him chatting with a colleague I’d overhear him saying “my daughter…” or “my son…” or “my wife…”, and his affectionate words put a smile on my face. Andrew clearly lived a full-hearted life, and I will sorely miss his warmth and kindness.

I feel devastated when I heard the sad news of Andrew’s pass. I only know him for a very short period of time before he died, and feel that I have lost a long standing friend. Almost a month ago, my colleague and I from Beijing had a call meeting with Andrew via ZOOM. He gave me a very good impression, lovable, energetic, optimistic. Such a nice guy with sunshine! We talked about the donation from Fulbright fellows in China to Boston Children’s Hospital for the combat of the COVID-19. Andrew was very encouraging and understanding. I still cannot believe in the fact that we lost Andrew forever! This is really hard for people who love him. I feel so sorry for the sudden loss to his family, his friends, and many of people who know him. May his family and loved ones blessed by all the kindness and love that he left with us!!!

Andrew and I met the day we arrived at Wesleyan because we lived in the same dorm. I was in a forced triple, and Andrew was in a single, and he, along with what felt like half of Butt B, was constantly hanging out in my room. From our early days as freshman until the day Andrew and I walked out of our house at 11 Vine Street after graduation, we ate lunch together almost every day. First at Summerfields and later on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center, usually at the same booth, trying to finish the NY Times crossword puzzle before our afternoon classes.

There is not one big event or one experience that stands out more than the rest. Our friendship was built on hundreds of small moments over almost 20 years. While there were many small moments, they were not insignificant. Andrew took me to the emergency room during our junior year when I needed stitches following a freak accident after a tennis match. He gave me the bedroom with the larger closet in our senior year house without a fight. Andrew helped me out on numerous occasions when others didn’t show up and never made a big deal of it. He also showed his friends that one cannot quote Zoolander too often. Andrew wanted to be relied on and he proved time and time again that he could always be counted on for activities big and small.

We were friends who saw each other through a lot of firsts. I was there when Andrew first met Adriana, I was there when they got married, and I happened to be at Wes for a reunion within days of them welcoming Marco home. We were lucky that I was living in LA at the same time that Andrew traveled there routinely for Wes. Because of that, I saw Andrew in the last decade considerably more than we saw anyone else in our Wes crew, for which I will be forever grateful. Every time we met up, one of the first things he would do was show me pictures of Adriana, Reese, and Marco. I had already seen them on social media but he wanted to explain them to me. He was a proud husband and father and over the years, I watched him grow with Adriana and watched them build a wonderful family together.

Because Andrew loved ice cream and cookies, one of the last times he was in LA, I took him to Diddy Riese, a popular dessert shop near UCLA. That night, the line was long, and I asked if he wanted to wait, as he had early meetings the next day. He looked at me and said, “Come on, Ash! A long line just means we have more time to hang out.”

I’ll miss listening to Andrew tell stories with twice as many details as necessary and I’ll miss exchanging messages about random events that we experienced across the country that reminded us of our college days. I’ll miss seeing Andrew in LA and hearing him shout “ashLEY!” when I arrive, regardless of whether he’s in a crowded restaurant, in a parking lot or even a Wesleyan Summer Sendoff. He’d shout my name and throw his arms in the air, as if the fact that were together again meant something exciting was going to happen.

Andrew worked hard to make sure I knew that while I was far away from our friends, I was never forgotten. He was the kind of friend that is hard to find and impossible to replace. I was so lucky to have shared so many moments with him. I only wish that we still had more time to hang out.

Actually I personally don't know Andrew. Through a recent donation to Boston Children's Hospital, I know Andrew, on behalf of BCH, had been coordinating the donation from a number of Chinese Fulbright scholars. My colleagues and I, Chinese Fulbright Alumni, heard about the sad news today. No one could believe it was true. All of us felt extremely sorry and prayed for him from our bottom of hearts. We still keep the picture of his online talking with my colleagues about the donation. It was on April 6. Beautiful soul is and will be shining for ever!

Andrew and I have been friends since college and lived together senior year. Everyone that met him, or was lucky enough to call him a friend, knew what a great guy he was. He was always trying to make people smile but when it came down to it, he'd do anything to help out a friend and exhibited a level of understanding and patience that is rare to come by. There was the time when I adopted two bunnies that we thought were both male, that shortly had 5 baby bunnies as soon as they moved into our shared laundry room, and ran around pooping everywhere. And the time that I bought the world's heaviest tube TV on Craigslist in a 6th floor walkup of NYC and he helped move it down and into my new apartment without hesitation. He was a true advocate for all that is right and shined love on those around him constantly. This was especially true when he met his partner in life, Adriana. The way he spoke of and about her from the instant they met made those close to him realize that they belonged together. They supported each other's dreams and goals from NJ to Japan to Middletown and built an incredible life together filled with support and love that most can only dream about.

And then along came Reese and Marco and it was clear that being their father is who he was meant to be. The fierceness of love, passion and excitement was clear each time he spoke about them, and he could not have been prouder of the amazing people they were growing up to be. We recently had dinner in Boston and as I reflected on the conversation we had, it fully revolved around the important things in life. The happiness of his parents and brother, the excitement of building a life in Boston with Adriana, Reese and Marco, and the desire to get together with old friends more frequently were common themes throughout the night. 

Stuerz, thank you for being such a good person and friend. Know that the memories and qualities that made you so loved live on in those closest to you. 

Andrew made a tremendous impact at Boston Children's Hospital, even in the short amount of time we had with him. He connected instantly with doctors, patient families, and, of course, the other members of the Trust team. When he came for an interview, I gave him a walkthrough of the hospital, and seeing the kids clearly made a huge impact on him. He was one of those people who was driven to make a difference in the world for others, and he clearly did make the earth a better place. We will miss him greatly.

I have a few Andrew memories that stand out in my mind. The first is simple: I was at my office at Wesleyan, watching out of the window as Adriana and Andrew (they were colleagues of mine at the time) walked around the campus holding hands. Such a simple gesture, but they'd been married for a few years by then and I was struck by how obviously connected and in love they were. There was something pure, simple, and genuine about the love they shared for one another, and it was always apparent. And watching them hold hands that day is a memory that will stay with me! Another memory I have is going to Andrew and Adriana's house after work to talk about a big life decision I had coming up. They were so gracious, allowing me to unload my predicament on them, and it was Andrew who really took the time to weigh all options with me and help propel me in the "right" direction. He was empathetic and compassionate, with just the right amount of encouragement to help me make my next move. I'm sure Andrew had many other things going on that afternoon, and yet he sat with me and listened to me, really caring about me. That memory will always stick out for me because not only did it help shape the path I took, but it was so kind of Andrew to take the time to talk it through with me. And I'll never forget when he showed up at a work event, gleeful with New Dad glow, and proudly told us all about Reese's recent delivery. He was so enamored with his daughter already and so, so proud of Adriana and how she was already an amazing mother.

Andrew has been a treasured friend for many years. He was always welcome in our home. We cherished his company and I will long remember looking out over Santa Monica Bay from our rustic tree house, sharing a wee dram with him after a long day.

When I brought my sons to see Wesleyan for themselves, he was the first and last face we saw; his toes hanging off the curb at Wyllys Avenue, one hand thrust into his pocket and the other extended nearly through the window of the car. He always wore a brilliant smile that both captured and projected his remarkable character and intellect.  While getting to know them, he spoke honestly and intimately to my boys about his own journey, his discoveries, and his adventures. He turned an intimidating college tour whirlwind into an aspirational and welcome embrace – of them and of their best hopes.

He spoke and wrote often to me about his beautiful family and the redeeming love he shared with Adriana, a college sweetheart. And, as they arrived and grew -seemingly overnight, he shared his unabated adoration and gratitude for his beloved Reese and Marco, filling me in on every detail of their lives, and espousing the gift of parental leave (it is difficult to reflect on this and type).

In this strange time of pandemic and so much loss, I muster my will and absolutely terrible trumpet playing and go to our deck every night at 8:00 PM and join my friends in neighbors in ‘making a joyful noise’ as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for our lives, loved ones and the many who make our world better for their presence and great gifts.  Each night with my trumpet, I stand in exactly the spot where I sat with Andrew, enjoying late night chatter overlooking the Bay. It feels like a space too hard to fill when I think about the man: husband, father and friend. However, I hope he somehow knows that I and we are all there together, making a joyful noise – forever heartbroken yet forever grateful to have called him “friend”. 

Sending love and warm embrace to all his family and friends from California always - Paul, Heidi, McCabe and Sam Slye

As a Wesleyan alum, I was fortunate enough to get to know Andrew through the various positions he held at Wes. Over the years we got to know each other through our meetings when he visited NYC or when I was visiting Wes. His always brought his enormous warmth, huge smile and enthusiasm to every meeting. I enjoyed sharing Wes stories with Andrew and getting campus updates but he never shined brighter than when he spoke lovingly about his wife and kids. A wonderful person with great energy and promise will certainly be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and community. 

Andrew's loyalty to Adriana and the kids -- and to Wesleyan -- was endless. I will always remember talking to him about work-related travel. He loved visiting with Wesleyan alumni and parents across the world, but he hated the way it took him away from the day-to-day activities of his life at home. He was all in for the stuff many of us complain about or take for granted. I could tell he cherished things like preschool dropoff and pickup, chores, errands, and strolls around the neighborhood. He totally adored his wife -- his college sweetheart! -- and the life they built together.

This is an incomprehensible loss, but I have this feeling that Andrew's love and loyalty was so big that it will hang around indefinitely. It will be in the air, in the landscapes, and of course in the faces of his beautiful wife and kids.

I was fortunate to work with Andrew for a short while at Wesleyan, but I first met him through the Neighborhood Preschool where our children were classmates. Before I’d ever had the opportunity to know him as a friend and colleague, sharing jokes, sarcasm, and smiles with him, I knew him as the father to Reese and Marco. A memorable encounter was actually me overhearing a conversation he was having with a teacher or other parent at pick-up. Reese was being her exuberant, theatrical self as she skipped along with Andrew from the door of the school to the car, at the end of the school day. The other person was jokingly saying to Andrew that he was going to have trouble in a decade as a parent with all the boyfriends Reese was going to attract/bring home. Andrew responded quickly, saying something like “Boyfriends, girlfriends, whomever Reese loves, it doesn’t matter to us. We’ll love and support her no matter what”. I remember being struck by his frankness. Andrew was clearly making a point to Reese and everyone else listening, that her future wasn’t predetermined, her paths were open, and she was the author. He was so proud of Reese and Marco and so happy to be their father. I loved working with Andrew and seeing him around the office, but watching him with his family--his jovial energy and presence with them--that’s the happy visual I’ll choose to recall to remember him.

Andrew was one of the first Wesleyan people I've met, when he visited Seoul. When I was a shy and lost freshman, he offered his kindness and guidance so that I could be part of the community. After Reese was born, I babysat her in their sunny backyard, and it is one of the most peaceful memories I have of Wesleyan. Even after I left Wesleyan, Andrew has always remained in my memory as a kind, smart, and passionate person who is dedicated to his loving family. And he always will be.

I met Andrew years ago when he started in the Development Office at Wes. Over the years we would meet for coffee or lunch when he came to NYC. He was so personable, friendly and always positive. I enjoyed talking to him about life at Wes but as we got to know each other better, we shared details about our spouses and kids. I will always remember the way he described his family. In fact, when I emailed him last Fall to let him know I was bringing my daughter to campus for a college visit, he said that he was sorry he wouldn't be there but that Oct.9th was his anniversary and that he and his wife already had plans to be together. Even knowing Andrew in the capacity that I did, it made sense to me that he would take the day off to spend his anniversary with his wife. It was always obvious how much love he had for his family. I will miss our meetings but will remember Andrew's warm smile and the way he made people feel at ease the moment they met him. My deepest condolences.

Andrew was a student of mine at Bergen Catholic High School. He was a talented and industrious honors math student and a young man with a warm, generous and caring personality. Andrew's energy and enthusiasm were evident in everything he did, earning him the respect and friendship of all at our school. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Rest in peace and God bless you, Andrew.

Andrew was always one of my favorite cousins to see. He had the most warm and kind spirit. Every time I saw him, which was fewer and more far between as we've grown up, it always felt like no time passed at all. He is someone I have always looked up to, as he always shared his wisdom and advice with me about what life had in store for me when I grew up. It brings me great sadness that we'll never have another one of those moments again, where he'd be able to give me answers to some of life's toughest questions. However, I'm thankful for all the time we had together and all the wisdom he was able to share with me within his life. I'll hold those memories close to my heart forever.

I would first like to thank everyone for the pictures and kind words. Learning how Andrew touched people worldwide blows us away. From Taiwan, Japan, China, South Korea to name a few. But what you didn't know is how afraid he was as child of getting lost in the car. He used to say dad it's the next right or dad turn left here or dad do you know how to get home from here. Who new he would become a world traveler. He even attended the King of Macedonia son's wedding sitting next to Carlos Slim.
In grammar school Andrew competed in football, baseball, basketball and wrestling. He was even an accomplished hockey player. His competitiveness did not stop with athletics, he was just as competitive in the classroom. He didn't just want an A , he wanted the highest grade point. He had many groups of friends and seamlessly moved from one to the other never leaving anyone out.
   He attended Bergen Catholic High School where he competed just as ferociously in athletics and academics and was accepted to the National Honor Society.
Andrew loved his college life at Wesleyan University where he excelled in East Asian Studies and studied abroad in China. He also played football, baseball and Rugby. He made many lifelong friends at Wes which he always cherished.
Not only did he love Wes he found the LOVE of his life there. Adriana and Andrew were perfect together. She traveled to Japan with Andrew. Andrew studied on scholarship in Japan and Andrew and Adriana worked in Japan.
Upon returning to the states Andrew went to work at Wes, married Adriana whose family welcomed him not as a son in law ( SIL ) but as a son. Soon after they had two children, Reese and Marco. He was the proudest, happiest, dedicated and most of all Loving DAD I have ever seen. He could never understand why I would get teary eyed when I used to sing Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle. After he became a dad he called me and said, I get it now dad. Family was Andrew's biggest joy.
Leaving Wes was difficult for him but he couldn't turn down the opportunity that the Boston Children's Hospital gave to him and his Family.
Andrew made the world a better place and he will truly be missed. Many hearts have broken by his passing which is a testament to who he is/was.
He will be truly missed by his Loving mom who always sang you are my sunshine to him everyday and his brother Keith who loved him from here to the moon .Heaven has a new ANGEL.
Rest in Peace my son
Love dad, aka OG

I wish there were a way to go back in time and take a picture of the images I have of Andrew with Reese and Marco. Such as Andrew walking Marco down High Street in Middletown to NPS, or hustling in and out of the family blue van to get to the "next thing" on the family schedule. He was a Dad that loved his children hard and pure, with the intention of creating security and a seemingly defined family spirit that was just specially theirs. Since my daughter, Lorelei, was five months old (one month older than Marco), I would cross paths with Andrew for just less than five years with him picking up and dropping off Marco (of course sharing the duty with Mom, Adriana:)). He was so proud and focused on Marco. Not only did Marco's face light up when seeing his Dad, but it was reciprocated by a fully engaged and beaming DAD. As Marco grew older and moved to Preschool, Marco would jump in and melt in his Dad's arms when he arrived. An ease and peace would cross Marco's face at the sight of his fully focused and engaged father; even when Marco would protest the next step in the pick-up routine or extracurricular schedule!  Andrew always handled it with patience and positive encouragement. Without a doubt, it was clear, and is cemented in my memories, the beauty and connection of their relationship. The only way I can find any peace in Andrew's physical absence in Marco and Reese's lives moving forward is knowing that he will always live and breathe in and through them; their attachment is, and was, undeniable, and that means everything to a child, even if completely and unexplainably, physically cut short; he was the loving Dad anyone would dream of and I pray his steadfastness and belief in his children's worth and individuality will live with them forever. I pray they can continuously feel and know that their Dad hugged them tight through the mundanity of a young family's busy schedules and that his vivacious spirit is in them. He is a part of them forever, and I am thankful to have seen it firsthand.

I had the pleasure of coaching Andrew in football when he was 15 years old at Bergen Catholic High School, Although he was small in stature, he had the heart of a lion. He was a coach's dream! Andrew was tough, smart, a leader, but most of all he was an outstanding young man, who I will miss greatly. You were a man not to be judged but to be judged by. You made everyone around you a better person, I will miss you Andrew! My deepest condolences to your family. 

I met Andrew my freshman year at Wesleyan in Japanese class. Andrew was a big upperclassman and saved me in that class. He was so smart, so funny, so easy to get along with that the class that normally would have been draining and overwhelming became fun. He had that about him. A warmth that you couldn’t help but feel. Then, I was there when Adriana met Andrew during a senior week party while we were both working extra hours during his graduation. I was so excited, and also frustrated at myself that I had known them both a whole year and hadn’t thought to introduce them! They were the kind of couple you just knew were meant to be. I also had the opportunity to spend time with Adriana and Andrew while they were living in Japan as I was also working in Japan at the same time. He was so good with languages and loved everything about Japan. I could talk to him for hours about all the things that made Japan amazing. He was one of a kind. ❤️

Andrew and I got to know each other when he began covering Asia for Wesleyan and I was in charge of the Freeman Scholarship here in Taiwan. He was a generous person, sympathetic, enthusiastic and full of curiosity. I would never hesitate to drop him a line or throw him an idea because he was so open-minded( very Wesleyan). He would have been a life- long friend...From your friend in Taiwan

I got to know Andrew through our Wesleyan ties, although our paths only crossed many years after graduation.  Andrew is such a wonderful person and staunch supporter of liberal arts education.  He made great contributions to bring Wesleyan alumni and friends in China closer together.  I'm deeply saddened by the loss of such a great friend.  May our prayers be with Andrew's family, and his spirit will be forever cherished by those who have been inspired by his enthusiasm and positive energy.

I'm a fellow Wesleyan graduate, class of 2007. I was totally shocked and devastated by hearing the sad news. Andrew is like a brother to many of us. In the last couple of years, I always met up with Andrew whenever he travels to Asia, he is an icon representing Wesleyan in Asia and the center-point person of connecting with the Wesleyan Asian alumni communities. He will be missed by many of us forever! R.I.P.

I am devastated and extremely saddened by the sudden passing of Andrew Stuerzel, one of my dearest friends and a fellow Wesleyan alum. While our paths didn’t cross during our campus days, I had the fortune to meet Andrew on my father’s birthday (Jan 17) in 2013 when he came to Beijing for a school trip. Our friendship quickly blossomed since and we shared many precious moments together – whether it was us working together on Wesleyan China Forum in both Shanghai and Beijing, or hosting Admission receptions for prospective students, or visiting his new office on Main Street, or having a beer in Beijing’s and Middletown’s local breweries, or him flying all the way from Connecticut to South Carolina to attend my wedding in October 2019. I also had the pleasure to meet Andrew’s wife Adriana, daughter Reese and son Marco during my 10th year reunion at Wesleyan in 2016. They were gracious to allow me to take a family photo of them that day, and it was little surprise that this beautiful family made that photo win an award later.

Late last year I learned from Andrew about his career move to join Boston Children’s Hospital and I was honored as he asked me to be his reference check. While it was a big loss for Wesleyan, I was equally thrilled for him as he starts an exciting new chapter. I was very happy to see he hit the ground running in his new job so quickly and had already found a new place in Boston for his family to move to, and I started to plan visiting him in Boston when I return to the US on my next trip, but all of a sudden, the heartbreaking news came in.

Words cannot describe my deepest sorrow for losing Andrew, it all happened so suddenly and it felt utterly unreal. How can a great man like him be taken away from us without any sign? My hearts and prayers are with Adriana and the kids, and I can only imagine how heart broken and devastated they are.

Andrew saw my potential that I never knew and inspired me to go beyond what I thought I could be, for that, I am forever grateful. Rest in peace Andrew, you will be sorely missed and will live forever in my heart.

I'm a fellow 2005 Wesleyan graduate. I didn't know Andrew very well, but he was always so friendly in organizing our class reunion calls and I thought he was a cheerful, energetic face to represent Wesleyan. What a loss this is. My deepest condolences to Andrew's family and loved ones. 

I will always remember Andrew for the incredible outpouring of love toward all his family. He was always willing to help in any way and never passed up a challenge. His personality will forever shine through his children and their love for their mom.