ANDREWS, Ralph (Pete) Dickson

The Arizona Daily Star, August 24, 2006 Ralph "Pete" D. Andrews, born in Greenwood, South Carolina in 1922, Pete passed away on August 18, 2006 following many years of heart and lung problems. His friends recognized him as a model of perseverance. A son, Jeffrey and daughter, Nancy preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Kaye; son, David; brothers, Robert (Bobbie) and William (Patsy) and a sister, Audrey Wilson, along with stepdaughters, Beverly Waugh and Karin (Dan) Williams. He was granddaddy to Katie, Mary, Carlos and Rosa. He served aboard a destroyer in the Pacific Theater for four years during WWII. He completed nine major combat engagements and following the war, attended college under the GI bill. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1949 where he was trained as a jet fighter pilot. Pete flew 100 combat missions in Korea and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Following his military career, he worked for 20 years in insurance claims, principally as an asbestos injury expert. Pete and his wife, Kaye moved to Oro Valley in 1992 and he began volunteering in schools through the Oasis program. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church was his church home where he served on various committees and as a Stephen Minister. The Men's Bible Class was important to him. Pete served his country, his community and his church contributing to each. The family thanks the caregivers at Casa de la Luz Hospice who helped Pete maintain the quality of life he so firmly believed in. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Andrews, S.W. Campus in the Sancutuary, 7575 N. Paseo del Norte on Saturday, September 2nd, 2006 at 200 p.m. Memorials may be made to the National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD., 21230 or the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Mission Fund.