Donald Eugene Andrews

CAMBRIDGE - Donald Eugene Andrews, 75, of Cambridge died of a lengthy illness Thursday. He was born in Cambridge on Feb. 18, 1932, and was the son of the late Guy E. and Esther Littrell Andrews.

After graduating from Cambridge High School in 1949 as part of the last 11 year class, he attended Johns Hopkins University on a senatorial scholarship while also participating in the ROTC program. Don graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He also studied and did research in fluid dynamics and axial flow in turbo machinery at the Hopkins' School of Graduate Studies. In 1955 he left Hopkins to fulfill his ROTC requirement with the U.S. Army. After graduating from Basic Infantry Officer Training he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the U.S. 8th Army, 2nd Engineering group in South Korea where he served as chief of the Engineering Design group that designed the 8th Army facilities throughout that country. Upon release from his Far East duty in 1957, he returned to Cambridge where he joined the Maryland National Guard as first lieutenant platoon leader of the Assault Gun Platoon.

He also went to work for the Cambridge Wire Cloth Co. In 1961 he resigned his military commission to devote his time more fully to his duties at the Wire Cloth Co., which often required extensive travel. During his 14 year employment with that company he served as plant engineer, product engineer, and chief engineer. While there he authored or co-authored three patents, developed new products, and taught numerous in-house metallurgical courses. He was also appointed an Honorary Faculty Member of the Metals Engineering Institute.

In 1968, after completing the rigorous requirements and exams administered by the Maryland Board of Licensing, he became a registered Professional Engineer qualifying him to offer consulting engineering services to the general public in Maryland, with reciprocal privileges in Delaware.

In 1970 he resigned his position at the Cambridge Wire Cloth Co. and formed Chesapeake Technical Services, engineering and surveying company. In 1974 he formed a partnership with Harold (Skip) Miller to form Andrews, Miller, and Assoc., a full service engineering firm that provided site development, and surveying. Mr. Andrews specialized in coastal engineering, designing shoreline erosion control systems, piers, bulkheads, jetties, and marinas. Since its inception the company, has done engineering projects throughout the entire East Coast. Mr. Andrews retired from the firm 1990.

From the mid-1960s until his death, he remained active in lay ministry. In the 1960s and 1970s he was an active participant in the Methodist Lay Witness Missions through out the mid-Atlantic region. He also played a leadership role in bringing the Clyde Dupin Crusade to Cambridge in 1977 and again in 1991. During the 1990s he and his wife taught numerous Precept Ministry Bible studies in both Cambridge and Easton. He was also instrumental in organizing and sponsoring a number Precept Training Workshops throughout the Eastern Shore, designed to teach individuals how to effectively lead Precept classes. He was part of the early founding group of WOLC Christian radio station. From 1985 until his death he served on the board of directors for the ministry, fulfilling the role of Board Chairman from 1989 - 1999. He was an active, member of Sunnyside Alliance Church where he served several years as an elder, and more recently as a member of the administrative board. Through the years he and his wife also jointly taught numerous Adult Sunday School classes.

He was an honorary member of Rescue Fire Co. Inc., a life time member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers. In the past he served on the advisory boards for the Eastern Shore Hospital and the Eastern Shore Council for Independent Living. At the time of his death he was serving on the Dorchester County Board of Property Review, and the board of the Brannock Maritime Museum.

He was an avid runner, biker, gardener, photographer, genealogist, woodworker, and reader, with a keen interest in politics and history, especially the period surrounding World War II and the aircraft of that period.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Rawleigh Andrews, to whom he was married on June 19, 1976, three children, Paige L. Kelley and husband Craig of Gaithersburg, Brent C. Andrews and wife Jean of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and Craig A. Andrews of Austin, Texas; as well as eight grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Andrews Branch. He was first married to Mary Hessenauer Andrews on February 15, 1958. She passed away on April 29, 1975.

A Memorial Service will be held on 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 501 Glenburn Ave. in Cambridge with the Rev. George Hufnagel officiating. The family will receive friends and visitors at the church's fellowship hall between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to WOLC, P.O. Box 130, Princess Anne, MD 21853, Sunnyside Alliance Church P.O. Box 9, Secretary; Sunnyside Alliance Church P.O. Box 9, Secretary, MD 21664; the Brannock Maritime Museum 210 Talbot Ave. Cambridge, MD 21613; or Coastal Hospice P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, MD 21802.

Arrangements are being handled by the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.