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Martinsville High School Alumni
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| Andy Geoghegan Obit and Celebration of Life - 11 |
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01/04/19
Greg Norton
(1963)
sgnorton@hotmail.com
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Andy Geoghegan's Obituary and Celebration of Life Information
Journal entry by Karen Williams — 6 hours ago
William Andrew “Andy” Geoghegan , 73, passed away on January 2, 2019 leaving behind many friends and family who loved him deeply. Andy was a true southern gentleman, academic scholar and dedicated family man with a moral compass that pointed to true north. He gave more than he took in all situations. Andy was one of those rare individuals who knew his ego was a false friend and his humanity was a true friend. He saw past others’ dramas and always tried to accept people as inherently good.
An avid runner, he served as a race director for numerous races including St. Pats, Cliffhanger, Red Apple and several others. He completed 6 marathons, numerous half-marathons and relays, and was the impetus behind the KC LandSharks relay team. He considered the Hospital Hill Half Marathon as his “signature run”, completing it most recently in 2014.
Born in Martinsville VA, he graduated from Martinsville High where he assumed many leadership positions including the drum major, participated in music and theater productions, and was class president for two years. After graduating from the College of William and Mary with a degree in psychology in 1968, he served as a lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps in Vietnam from 1969-1970.
Andy came to Kansas City to attend UMKC where he earned his MS in Social Psychology and pursued PhD coursework in Curriculum in Instruction. He subsequently settled in the Kansas City area where he taught psychology courses at Longview Community College for 31 years, until his retirement. At Longview, he was faculty advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, Director of the Honors Program and ultimately received the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and MCC Presidential Citation. No matter where he went, former students would say, “You were my psychology profession”.
He took great pleasure in volunteering in the community. For the Mental Health Association of Kansas City he staffed the suicide crisis line for many years, His children recounted knowing that if the phone rang twice, it was a call that they were not to answer. He served on the PrimeHealth Board of Directors from 1982-1986, was on the Kansas City Track Club Board for many years, and most recently drove cancer patients for their appointments for the American Cancer Society. One of the most enjoyable volunteer activities he pursued was working with the Folk Alliance International Organization where musicians from around the world convened in Kansas City for a 5 day meeting of outstanding music.
In 2002, he met the love of his life and together they had 16 years of adventures, laughs and travel. Their travels took them to Spain, Turkey, France, Germany, South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Alaska, Dubai, Galapagos Islands, Canada, Italy and New Zealand. He especially loved bicycling vacations as a way to slow down and see the world up close.
As a single father, he loved being a track dad, band dad, and was most happy simply being known as Sean, Justin and Ashley’s “DAD”. In addition to his wife Karen Williams, Andy is survived by children: Sean (Laura) Geoghegan of Greenwood, MO; Justin (Jamie) Geoghegan of Olympia WA; Ashley (Tony) Beech of Lenexa KS, and step-son Jesse Gross (Bit Vo) of Denver Co. Additionally, he leaves 6 grandchildren: Alex, Iris, Chase, Sophie, Hayley and Zibby; and, siblings Jane (George) Hastings and Linda Geoghegan. He also leaves many good friends and colleagues who stood by his side as he fought metastatic cancer for the last 17 months.
The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Al-Rajabi and his medical oncology team at KU Med Cancer Center for the excellent care Andy received.
Andy was the exemplar on how to live, and he left his handprint on our hearts.
The Celebration of Andy’s Life will be held at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th Street, Kansas City MO 64112 at 3:00 Sunday January 6th, 2019, followed by a reception in Meyer Hall on the lower floor of Unity Temple.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either Operation Breakthrough of Kansas City or Unicorn Theater or any other charity that you feel improves the lives of others as a tribute to Andy.
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