Andrew William Kish, born July, 14, 1928 in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, September 21, 2018 at his Laguna Hills home. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, his daughter, Pamela, his niece, Susan, and his granddaughters Christina and Laura.
Even though Andy held various impressive titles throughout his life, you wouldn't know it based on his humbleness. While some referred to him as Dr. Kish, Professor Kish or even Colonel Kish, his most important titles included: husband, dad and grandpa. Born to Anna and Alex Kish, Andrew had five siblings: Alex, John, Eva, Lena and Annie, all passed.
Andy moved to California in 1950 with his friend Tony Sosa, after serving the United States Army in Europe. He came here to pursue his dream of attending the University of Southern California. Andrew was not impressed with California at first remarking, "This is it!?" when seeing the beach for the first time. Those college days were very special for Andrew. It was during that time that he found his love for education, earned his first college degree, and gained membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Andy also decided to take a chance that would change his life forever… to go on a blind date and meet the love of his life, Sarah, who he would later wed on June 20, 1952.
After getting married and starting a family, Andrew continued to further his education. While teaching high school in Huntington Beach, California he pursued his Master's degree at California State University, Long Beach. Andy went on to become a member of the founding faculty at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. He always reminisced and said that teaching college kept him young.
While teaching Behavioral Psychology courses full time during the day, Andy and his fellow Saddleback professor, Dr. McCullough, spent their nights pursuing their doctorate degrees at National University in San Diego. Their joint dissertation on human psychology and physiology made the paper.
Though Andrew's dedication to education was always evident, his service to our country was not. Andy served in the Army working his way up to a full Colonel while working with Counter Intelligence and eventually becoming an attaché.After retiring, he continued to serve in the Army Reserves spending two weeks every summer at the Pentagon. Serving in the Pentagon is among his favorite memories in the military.
Throughout Andrew's remarkable military and civilian career, he held one value above all others…family. To Andy, family meant everything. It is difficult for us to live our lives with Andrew no longer in them. While his intellect, generosity and kindness surrounded all those around him, there was no one who felt the true warmth of his heart more than his family. His bright smile, warms hugs and one-finger waves will be forever missed.