Raymond L. Andrus

80 years young, lost his third battle with cancer on Memorial Day, May 25th. Born in Ames, Iowa, to Eva and Lynn Andrus, he graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute, served in French Morocco during the Korean War, and was on the first staff of the Air Force Academy at Lowry AFB and Colorado Springs. Island residents since 1966, Lew and Lois were married 53 years, and parents of Ross, Joel, and Heather. Lew was an Account Executive and Art Director at Lennen & Newell, San Francisco and then in Seattle, before launching his own graphic design firm of Andrus & Higgins, later renamed Lew Andrus & Associates. Thirty plus years later, and after designing and building his own home as well, he joined the Seattle Art Institute faculty part time, passing his layout and design, computer graphics and animation skills to the next generation of artists. Upon retirement, Lew kept busy with community projects like Broom magazine, illlustrated children's books, and political cartoons. He participated in AIS Faculty art exhibits and always kept Lois well supplied with helpful housekeeping advice. Lew lived and died on his own terms. In addition to his COPD (likely due to the aerosols and solvents he'd used in art work years before), he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent lung surgery in 2005 and chemotherapy/ radiation in 2008. He fought to maintain his health by walking and swimming, ever mindful of the benefits of beer and fishing! Only in the last few months was he unable to exercise for lack of energy and shortness of breath. Lew died at home, with his family and at peace. Our special thanks to Hospice of Kitsap County. An exhibit of Lew's art is planned for later this summer. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.