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Andrew N. Rutter "Andy"
Born: 1/30/1968
Died: 8/11/2023
Age: 55
Community: Flushing, MI
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Rutter, Andrew N. "Andy" - age 55 of Flushing, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Hurley Medical Center with his family by his side.
Andy was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) in 2017. He medically retired following the diagnosis. In the years that followed, he experienced a slow and steady decline. Despite the decline, his mental and physical health were stable. On Wednesday August 9th, he was admitted to the hospital with pain and swelling in his leg. It was thought to be a treatable infection; unfortunately, within 12 hours, he rapidly deteriorated. He died of septic shock.
Andy was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania on January 30, 1968 to Jack and Mina Rutter. He was baptized at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Andy's early childhood was spent in nearby Lemont. There he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. He frequently hiked and camped on the nearby Nittany Mountain. He was a huge Penn State fan.
Andy and his family moved to Greensburg, PA in 1980. While living there, he discovered wrestling; it became a big part of his life. He attended Happy Valley Penn State wrestling camps. He continued to wrestle throughout middle and high school until graduation. He graduated from Hempfield Area Senior High School in 1986.
Andy attended Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science as a Physician Assistant in 1990. Following graduation, Andy began a 20+ year career as a Physician Assistant in Trauma & Surgery at Hurley Medical Center. While working there he met Sandi and they were married on October 10th, 1998.
Andy and Sandi had two children. Paige Elizabeth was born on June 21, 2001 and died from Neuroblastoma on June 30th, 2004. In her honor (with the help of the Hurley Foundation and the Children's Miracle Network), Andy and Sandi created Paige's Playroom. The room, located in the Hurley Pediatric Unit, has provided patients and their families with a fun place to play and be together.
On May 26th, 2006, Andy and Sandi welcomed their son, Ethan Andrew. Ethan is currently starting his Senior Year at Flushing High School. Andy loved to go to Ethan’s baseball games and cheering him on. Andy was very proud of Ethan’s hard work and dedication to baseball. It had become more difficult over the last year to attend the games. But, this past month he was there for every game of the season's final tournament where Ethan had the game winning hit to win the championship game. We will never forget that last weekend we spent with our Raiders baseball family.
Following his retirement, Andy actively remained engaged in his hobbies and interests. His interests included woodworking, bird watching, growing flowers (sunflowers in particular) and gardening. Andy loved to cook. He found great enjoyment in gourmet cooking. He shared his fine culinary creations with family and friends.
His bond with both of his brothers, Brian and Jay, was unmatched. They spent countless hours making each other laugh by joking about their younger days. Andy lived his life to the fullest extent possible. He remained actively engaged with his close group of family and friends. He was beloved by all. His positive attitude and lighthearted sense of humor lit up the room. Everyone who knew Andy was better for having known him.
After Andy’s diagnosis of dementia in 2017 our lives were forever changed. We thank all of our family and friends who supported us throughout these difficult times. To his PA work family, he loved all of you. Special thanks to his friends Scott Woodzell, Andy Perry and Joe Hebeler. The friendship he developed with the three of you over the last 6 years made such a difference in his quality of life. From your breakfast club, to running him around and the many hours of sitting around the campfire. He looked forward to and cherished those times. Thank you for making a difference.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Paige. Grandparents, Johnny and Polly Rutter. In-laws Gene and Geneva Swink
Andy is survived by his wife Sandi and son Ethan. Parents, Jack and Mina of Greensburg, PA. Brothers, Brian and wife Kathleen Rutter of Greensburg, PA and Jay and wife Christina of Medina, OH. Sister-in-law Carla and her husband Tracy Payne of Burton, MI. Nieces and nephews: Johnny, Emily and Alex Rutter, Ashley Payne. Many family & friends. Lifelong friends Bill Barkley, Tim Winck and Erich Riehl.
We express our extreme gratitude to everyone who worked so hard on Andy that day. Everyone from ER, 9e, Rapid Response, ICCU, CCU. All the Doctors, PA’s, NP’s, Nurses, Respiratory and anyone else who wasn't mentioned. If it weren’t for all of you, Ethan and I would have never been able to be with Andy when he passed. That means so much to us. Also, thanks to Dr. Peddireddy for being such a wonderful physician and friend throughout the years.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Deacon Ron Kenney officiating.
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Visitation 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday and 12 p.m. Wednesday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Paige's Playroom at Hurley Medical Center via http://www.hurleyfoundation.org/donate
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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8/15/2023 |
| Time: |
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12:00 PM |
| Visitation 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2023 and 12 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, 2023 until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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8/16/2023 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Swartz Funeral Home & Cremation Center
1225 West Hill Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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