Robert Charles Andrews

Dr. Robert Charles Andrews, MD, age 65, died after a long illness on August 30, 2016, at home in Meredith, N.H., surrounded by his family.

Robert, known as Bob to his friends, was born on June 9, 1951 in Coral Gables, Fla., to Ann and Lincoln Andrews. Bob, older brother to Ronald and Timothy, excelled in academics and athletics from an early age.

After graduating from North Miami High School in 1969, Bob studied electrical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Bob found success outside the classroom on the Track & Field team, where he was an accomplished athlete.

After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Bob returned to Florida to study at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Because of his outstanding academic achievements, Bob received the John K. Robinson Scholarship, to which he later donated to assist other aspiring doctors.

After medical school, Bob pursued a residency in surgery at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. His medical career then took him to Boston where he completed a residency in radiology at Tufts Medical Center. Bob became board certified in interventional radiology through a prestigious fellowship at the University of Florida, which allowed him to combine his dual passions of surgery and radiology.

During his residency at Tufts, Bob met his future wife, Cecile Whalen, who was a nurse in the radiology department. They married on April 30, 1983, in Miami, Fla.

Bob cherished his two children, Elyse Cecile, born in 1984, and Michael Robert, born in 1989. No matter where the family found themselves, one of their favorite ways to bond was getting out in their boat to fish. Bob could often be found coaching Elyse and Michael's teams and activities, or making his famous steak for their friends on summer weekends spent at the family home on Lake Winnipesaukee.

In the early 1980s, the family moved to upstate New York where Bob became the Director of Radiology at Claxton-Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg. During his tenure, Bob instituted an innovative policy where mammograms were offered at a drastically reduced rate and was instrumental in the founding of a new angiography unit. He was passionate about broadening access to medical care and providing preventative services to everyone in the community.

Bob's desire to have a larger impact on the business of medicine led him back to school. He pursued an accelerated Master of Business Administration at the Rollins College Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business. He graduated with his MBA in April 1998.

After Elyse went off to Syracuse University and Michael began matriculating at the New Hampton School, Bob and Ceil realized their lifelong dream of living on the water. They bought a home in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee and Bob spent several years working at Lakes Region General Hospital. After retiring from medicine, Bob devoted himself to his two most beloved hobbies, fishing and golf. He spent many happy hours with his friends and family hunting down big bass in his favorite fishing spots and hitting the links at Waukewan Golf Club.

While he loved his home, Bob also enjoyed traveling extensively with his family. They returned often to favorite spots like Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, where he enjoyed playing the famed Harbour Town Golf Links. Bob was an avid reader and never stopped learning, even studying French prior to vacationing in Europe.

Bob touched so many people in his professional life as a physician and in his personal life as a son, brother, father, husband and friend. Those who knew Bob continue to be inspired by his determination, generosity and kindness.

Robert is survived by his wife Cecile Whalen Andrews, of Meredith, N.H.; his daughter Elyse Cecile Andrews and her husband Michael Barrett Swartz, of Somerville, Mass.; his son Michael Robert Andrews and his fiancee Christina Hansbrough, of Alexandria, Va.; his brother Ronald Andrews of Tampa, Fla.; his brother Timothy Andrews, his wife Valerie Cummings and their children Brett and Tyler Andrews, of Concord, Mass.; and his California family John Martinez, Laurie Whalen and Emma Martinez of Long Beach. Robert was predeceased by his parents Ann and Lincoln Andrews of Fort Pierce, Fla.

A memorial service and reception to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Waukewan Golf Club, 166 Waukewan Road, Center Harbor, N.H. http://www.waukewangolfclub.com/

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pemi-Baker Community Health, 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth NH 03264; Lakes Region Visiting Nurses Association, 186 Waukewan St., Meredith NH 03253 or to the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Radiology Department in care of the CHMC Foundation, 503 Mansion Ave., Ogdensburg NY 13669.