Andrew 'Drew' Horwitz

A man of the trees, mountains and sky, Drew tread gently upon the earth. On his own terms he returned his body to nature on the evening of Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

He was born in the San Fernando Valley, Calif., on Oct. 12, 1951, to Ginger and Jim Horwitz. He really enjoyed his childhood. With a twinkle in his eye, he was always looking to make some mischief. He loved the ocean, surfing, his many friends, and his family home on the edge of the city, with nature at its back door.

He was a student of the world. Most of his knowledge came from his amazing listening and memory skills. He constantly observed and learned. Drew had a genius for geographic facts and a passion for politics and current world events. He studied the weather.

He married his childhood sweetheart Lori Gill, in 1973. They moved to Lake Arrowhead, Calif. Next, his travels led him to Telluride, Colo. As “Brother Andrew,” he was a deejay for the community radio station. Many listeners had no clue who this deep-voiced man really was. He had a loyal following. He adored high altitude and to his last days he loved Telluride.

His second marriage was to Lea Martin and they lived in Bend, Ore.

After his divorce, he traveled to many places to find his spot and ended up in Sandpoint in 2000. He lived with his beloved sister, Tea, and her sons, Dusty and Tanner. He was a compassionate and wise uncle.

He was crazy for music. He loved listening to music and played guitar, dobro, and pedal steel guitar. In his better days, he loved jamming.

He worked to help establish a community radio station in Sandpoint, seen often with his tape recorder at cultural and political events. He was a lifelong artist, excelling in clay and Sumi painting.

He enjoyed hearing poetry. He had beautiful handwriting. Before his illness he loved hiking, skiing and was a maniac ice skater.

The time he spent with his friends, ”the tribe,” were some of his happiest days in Sandpoint.

He was a passionate liberal and cared deeply about the environment and politics.

He was an old hippie, a compassionate and giving person. He touched many lives and many people touched him.

He leaves his parents Ginger Roth and Jim and Channa Horwitz; brother, Spencer Horwitz; sister-in-law, Linda and their children Brian, Lauren, and Brooke; brother Daniel Horwitz and sister-in-law Donna, and their children Kalila, Johann, and Garrin; sister Tea Aunan and partner Frank Wakeley, and her sons Tanner and Dusty. Drew also has four stepbrothers and sisters.

There will be a celebration of his life (regardless of the weather) on Sunday, June 8, at 1 p.m. at Oden Bay Wildlife Refuge.