Francis Andries

FRANCIS MILTON ANDRIES, born December 23, 1929 in Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at his home in Austin, Texas of a heart attack. He was 84 years old. Francis is survived by his nine children: Christopher R. Andries of Plano, Texas; Kathleen F. Harris of Pflugerville, Texas; Karen Andries-Lumpe of Boulder, Colorado; Mark G. Andries of San Diego, California; Helen Andries Clarke of Mercer Island, Washington; Elaine Andries Hartle of San Antonio, Texas; Paul J. Andries of Austin, Texas; Therese L. Alexander of Shanghai, China; and Elizabeth (Beth) Andries of Bastrop, Texas. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Christine C. Recio of Austin, Texas; Derek Andries of Austin, Texas; Reece Hartle of Austin, Texas; Jared Lumpe of Santa Clara, CA; Kimberly M. Davis of Pflugerville, Texas; Keith Hartle of Austin, Texas; Aaron Lumpe of Portland, Oregon; and Madeleine Alexander of Shanghai, China; and his great grandchildren: William H. Slatton, Emma V. Slatton, Ryan P. Slatton, Jack S. Slatton and Thomas K. Slatton, all of Pflugerville, Texas.

Francis is survived by Carol Ann Andries (the mother of his nine children), Eva King Andries and Karin Ireland, all of whom he loved dearly.

Francis is survived by his brothers: Bert Andries of Big Spring, Texas; Julian Andries of Richardson, Texas; Richard Andries of Kilgore, Texas; and Jerry Andries of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Francis is preceded in death by his parents, John G. Andries and Gertrude Peltier Andries of Kilgore, Texas; as well as his sisters, Mary Jo Andries and Whibry Ellis; and his brothers, Ronald Andries; Donald Andries; Paul Andries; Gilbert Andries; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Coleman Slatton and her husband, Kenneth (Clint) Slatton. Francis is also preceded in death by Mary Louise Andries.

After graduating from New London High School in 1947, Francis attended Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, earning an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1950. He would later return to college briefly to study physics at the University of Dallas. Shortly after earning his A.A., Francis enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and, after serving his country for four years and earning the rank of Airman First Class, obtained an honorable discharge.

Following his stint in the USAF, he worked as an electrician for a number of years before being hired at Texas Instruments in 1959. It was during his tenure at T.I. that he developed and patented an electronic stethoscope, which he later marketed under Andries Tek, as founder and C.E.O.. This stethoscope, which allows the physician to amplify and record heart and bowel sounds, was employed on several NASA shuttle flights and has been on exhibit at the Smithsonian. He also designed and constructed the prototype Heart House Learning Chair for the American College of Cardiology. In addition, Francis designed and installed the first Teaching Classrooms for Auscultation at the Mayo Clinic. This Classroom was used as an example of the Mayo Clinic's legacy in Alistair Cook's TV documentary, America.

Over the years Francis visited his children and took many trips to the beaches and mountains he loved.

Francis enjoyed the peace of being out in nature. He especially enjoyed his daily walks around Mills Pond near his home, where he loved to sit and watch the ducks and was always thrilled by the sight of the egret or heron flying across the water. At home, he often sat in his big easy chair and watched the flocks of birds that came by to eat out of his bird feeders. In his last year, he was forced to give up many of his favorite foods and beverages, due to his diabetes, but when he came home to spend his final days in hospice care, his daughters cooked him his favorite meals with a glass of wine and dessert. How he loved that! He was surrounded by loved ones in his last days and died on his terms. Francis was the patriarch of the Andries family and led by his example. He was always fair, honorable and handled himself with dignity, grace and the sense of humor and cheerful spirit that he displayed until his very last hour. How this dear man will be missed!
In his last months, Francis was hospitalized on many occasions and was finally in Hospice care in his home, according to his wishes. He loved his apartment at The Lodge at Merrilltown and we want to thank Matthew and his staff as well as all his lovely neighbors for their kindnesses. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care and professionalism of his doctors, nurses and other caregivers. In particular our thanks go out to the doctors at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Austin: Dr. June Spann, Dr. Saif, and Dr. Little. His cardiac surgeon Dr. John Dieck, Jr. of Texas Heart and Vascular; the amazing staff at St. David's South and St. David's North; and Lynne Hartle and Debbie Andries, who donated their loving care and expertise to Francis in his final days. Also thank you to the nurses and therapists at Encompass Home Health Care. And finally, our thanks to the hospice nurse who was with him in his last hours, Connie Hicks.

All Faiths Funeral Home, 8507 N. iH-35, Austin, Texas will be handling the cremation and inurnment with military honors at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas at a later date. Please refer to this website www.allfaithsonline.com for updates. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Gilbert Cavazos and his staff at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Personal Tributes from His Children
Chris - "Dad was a tough disciplinarian; not abusive, just tough. But he could be very tender and compassionate when his children were in need or hurting. Through all of my near death experiences, he was always there for me. He took me to the hospital at the age of 3 when I attempted to walk through a pile of junk interspersed with broken glass. At the age of 16, he once again took me to the hospital when a jeep fell on me. When I was in a head on collision at 21, he drove me to Houston at neck breaking speed to ensure that I had the best hospital and surgeon at my disposal. I truly believe that us the only reason I am able to walk today. When I was home recovering from a second surgery following my colon cancer diagnosis, he showed up unsolicited to relieve my wife, who was mentally and physically exhausted. He insisted that she take some time for herself while he watched over me. She has never forgotten that selfless act of kindness. And then of course, my love of electronics was all due to him. He was my teacher and mentor, I can only hope my son thinks half as much of me as I do of my Dad."

Kathy - "My memories of Dad are simple. He was always there for me and for anyone he loved. I can recall as a broke single mother (of two at the time) and when I was saying our goodbyes at the end of our visit, I would receive one of his big bear hugs and feel him shove a $20 bill into my hand. He knew what it was to be struggling and he always did it quietly, leaving me my dignity. He was a dignified, loving, brave and funny man. He loved the walks around his "lake" with Thom and I in the mornings. He always followed them with an early lunch together. Dad attended every birthday party of his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. He always brought a card and 'a little cash' for them. He spent time getting to know them all and they adored him. He had a huge and generous heart. How will we go on without him in our lives? Dad, we are all a part of you and the life lessons you imparted to all of us will be passed down to our children and to generations to come. Your heart and spirit are your legacy. You were and always will be deeply loved and deeply missed. Love you Dad."

Karen - "Dad was always a seeker - always trying to understand the nature of the human heart and mind - always so curious to ask me 'what would the Native American say about that?' What about the buddhists? And in the end he found his way there naturally - sitting with him at the park or walking beside him in silence as he tried to connect with the natural world - even the trees - even the wind. Wanting the space of silence to explore with the senses, the path to understanding. And then to share what he found there. His desire to listen to the heart was a metaphor to me. He was so delighted to learn that the living heart was the seat of our consciousness. Sharing Joseph Campbell's work and understanding of the spirit and drive of the human heart was to me, one of my most cherished memories - His appreciation of the Native American belief in the spirit inherent in all life was a frequent topic. Two days before he died, in the hospital, he looked up and said 'I heard somewhere that there is nothing but the present moment... and I think that's good.' He was understated and even folksy at times. Endearing qualities; yet underlying was a fierce intellect and even braver heart I was so lucky to experience."

Mark - "My Mentor
One of the lessons that dad taught me was how to earn my own way in life. At one point, I lost my new car to repossession and was even being evicted from both my home and office when business was slow. Feeling low, I called my dad to discuss this with him and see if I could get any help or advice. His response to hearing this was, "It looks like you're about to turn everything around." And he was right. I dug deeper, borrow some money, unlock the doors to my office, and closed two of the biggest transactions of my life on that day.
Compassion for others:
Dad taught us a lesson in showing compassion for others when he would go to a low-income neighborhood to help take care of a man that had his legs amputated and not enough family support. He often brought myself and my siblings over to help empty the human waste out of his bedroom. He also was able to rig a way so the man could get in and out of his bathtub by himself. He showed us how to be there for someone who truly needed it and how to just be a friend.

Amazing father:
How you were able to raise nine children is beyond my imagination. Hell, I can barely raise my dog, Charlie.
Accomplishments:

Dad was dedicated to helping doctors all over the world to be able to listen to a patient's heart sounds in order to diagnose their ailments. The device that he invented, the electronic stethoscope, was even sent to space aboard the NASA shuttle to study the heart and bowel sounds of the astronauts aboard.
To my amazing dad, I look forward to talking to you on your new phone in heaven.
Love and miss you, Mark"

Helen - "I share my father's love of nature and invited him to visit me at the ocean and later in the mountains intending to treat him to a vacation. Instead, he sought out a series of projects he insisted on finishing, saying only that he enjoyed helping me. Once we were having our morning coffee by the river and were engaged in a philosophical and spiritual discussion when we were surprised to realize it was late afternoon! Dad had such a great laugh and was always ready to offer sage advice or encouragement. Being in his company was such a genuine pleasure. Dad taught me so much and for that I will always be grateful. I have so many happy memories that will remain in my heart forever."

Elaine - "I felt fortunate to spend so much time with Dad in these last years when he had real contentment with family and the little pleasures in life. I will always admire the dignity and humor he maintained when he knew his memory was failing and especially when he knew his heart was failing and his time on earth would be short. He was funny, loving and even cheerful to the end. Those memories are the gifts he leaves me."

Paul - "Dad was my best teacher and biggest fan. I always knew I could count on him - even if what I needed was a dose of truth. He was hard on me when I was a brat and kind to me when I was down. His impeccable integrity and large heart made him my greatest role model. He was proud of all his children and his legacy in the medical community. I loved him."'

Therese - (Will add at a later date.)
Beth- "How proud I am to have had you for a father! What thanks do I have to give you? Much! Not only are you my hero, my inspiration and role model, there is more. When I needed encouragement you were there. When no one else believed in me, you did. Whenever I failed, you gave me the strength to believe in myself. When I lost love, you were there to make my heart full again. I'm not the same person I was when I left home. I'm better. And I owe it all to you. I love you."