Andrew Housholder

A fourth-generation Wood County resident, Andrew Edward Housholder was born in Bowling Green, Ohio on Sept. 28, 1932, and died at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on Sept. 8, 2011. He left Bowling Green in 1955 to make beautiful music as a choir director that led groups in high schools and universities. He organized 13 world tours with young singers that took them as far away as China.
He married Terry Smith in Oneida, N.Y., on June 27, 1965. One who loved new places, Andy was able to study abroad, The Vienna Academy of Music being a highlight. He led the Post Chapel Choir at the Guided Missile School at Fort Sill, OK, where he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1955-57.

Director of music at Saquoit Valley Central School, Utica, NY from 1957-63, he then traveled to Long Island and was choir director at Northport Public Schools, Huntington High School, New York University, USDAN Center for Creative and Performing Arts, Huntington Choral Society, Nassau Symphony, and Huntington Men’s Chorus and served as Director of Music at Old First Presbyterian Church. He was also visiting professor at Nassau College and Ithaca College. His 1980 Huntington High School Choir earned “First Prize Cum Laude” in Neerpelt, Belgium at the International Festival. In 1975 he was honored as Choral Conductor of the Year by the National Choral Council in New York City. For 20 years, he was one of the conductors for “The Messiah Sing-In” at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. He worked closely with prominent composers and educators including John Rutter, Vincent Persichetti, Helen Hosmer, Aaron Copland, Robert Shaw, and our own Ivan Trusler from BG!

He returned to Bowling Green in 1995 to make music of another sort – doing good in the community that he grew up in and loved with a real passion. He is proof that you can come home again and pick up life, old friends and old and new causes without missing a beat. He served on the board for Bridge Hospice, BG Schools Foundation, Falcon Club, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Toledo/BGSU Alumni Association, ProMusica, Northwest Ohio Duplicate Bridge League and various scholarship and award committees.

One of his proudest accomplishments was creating the “Andy Open” which enables young golfers to realize their potential. As a high school student he was a one handicap golfer and The Toledo Blade paid his way to a national caddy tournament. He often played golf at the BG Country Club, at which his grandfather was a founding father.

Andy graduated from both BGHS and BGSU and remained supportive of both.

As a high school teacher in New York he encouraged many students to attend BGSU and the majority of them graduated with honors. He was a strong supporter of the ROTC program and Falcon athletics.

Andy’s cooking was a theme in his life and over the years he cooked for Martha’s Kitchen in BG and many other events in the community. He combined his interests in nature, fundraising and gourmet cooking by organizing the first Wine and Cheese Social that has become an annual fundraiser for the Parks and Recreation Foundation.

Andy (Eddie) leaves behind his bride Terry, daughter Ellen, and his very treasured grandchildren Ryan and Emily. Also survived by sister Joan, and nieces and nephews. A truly extraordinary, yet ordinary man.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green. Revs. Gary and Mary Jane Saunders will officiate. Military honors will follow the service at Oak Grove Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Memorial contributions may be given to the BGSU Foundation, Bridge Hospice or Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation for the Andy Open.

Arrangements are being handled by Dunn Funeral Home, 408 W. Wooster St., located in the Historical District of Bowling Green.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dunnfuneralhome.com.