Obituary of Andrew Henry Ziemann

Beloved of many, Andrew Henry (“Andy”) Ziemann, 68,  passed into glory on Friday, February 8, 2019 in San Diego, California.  Born on November 16, 1950 – “smack dab in the middle of the 20th Century,” as he liked to say – in Berwyn, Illinois to parents Inez Lorraine Ziemann (nee Oswell) and Harold Herman Ziemann, Andy and his family soon relocated to Southern California where he would live his entire life.  He spent the majority of his years living in San Diego, which he truly believed to be “America’s Finest City” and the best possible place to call home. 

After graduating from Lennox High School in Lennox, CA in June 1968, Andy proudly served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1976 in both infantry and as a radio operator during a one-year tour in Vietnam, completing his active duty in 1971 with an Honorable Discharge.  He married his high-school sweetheart and they moved to San Diego and were blessed with one child, a daughter, whom they both adored.   Although they later divorced, they maintained amicable relations and this extended to his daughter's step-father and new siblings.  He explored college and various professional pathways in his early career, including sales, courier service and dispatching, eventually honing his considerable talents for customer service and record keeping at tax and accounting firms in both Ventura and San Diego Counties as an Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper.

Andy was a well-known bibliophile with a particular passion for reading about the RMS Titanic, biographies, especially of President John F. Kennedy and Clint Eastwood, baseball, the macabre, and anything involving word play.  His love of movies was broad, ranging from Dirty Harry to When Harry Met Sally.  He enjoyed music and, growing up during the height of the Beatles craze, often sang along to their songs on the radio and record player… and was occasionally observed (when he meant for no one to be looking) "strumming along" on his trusty tennis racquet.  He enjoyed old-time radio shows and also had a profound sense of humor, loving everything from the zany stand-up act of Bob Nelson to the witty sarcasm of NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me. Through his interactions with books, radio, and film, Andy quenched his thirst for knowledge about the world and impressed friends and family with his detailed retention of facts, plot lines, and excellent quotes – always put to use at the exact right moment.  In any game of Trivial Pursuit, Andy was the one you wanted on your team.  But despite the imploring of family and friends, he could never be persuaded to try out for the TV game show Jeopardy!  When told he could possibly be the next Ken Jennings, he always said no amount of money would be worth the loss of his privacy and the ability to walk down the street in perfect anonymity.  Andy always preferred to turn the spotlight on others and was quick to praise and compliment those he admired.  He was a tireless supporter and fierce defender of those in his "circle".

Andy was incredibly devoted to his entire family and their regular gatherings in both Orange County and Ohio were highlights of his year. He is survived by daughter Jenine (Frank J.) Sansosti; granddaughter Natalia Sansosti; ex-wife Debbie Jean (nee Williams) Westerhold; three siblings Timothy Ziemann, Susan (Don) Kojima, and Janet Luyet; ex-siblings-in-law Ona Min Ziemann and Pat Luyet Sr.; cherished friend of many years Lorea Herald; aunt Phyllis Wood; cousins John and Jennifer Ward, James (Deborah) Oswell Jr., Lynn Luyet, Frances Metcalfe, Donald Oswell, Jennifer Ward, and Paige Metcalfe, Broden and Morgan Jackson; nephews Patrick (Carol) Luyet Jr., Frank (Jennifer Haggerty) Luyet, Cameron Kojima, Christopher Ziemann and Nicholas Ziemann; great-nieces Devin (Randy Cordova) Haggerty, Alixandra (Royce Altstatt) Littlefield and Hannah Luyet; great-grand nephew Levi Gavin Cordova and great-grand niece Billie May Altstatt; and dear friends.  He is preceded in death by his beloved parents Inez (nee Oswell) Forsythe and Harold Ziemann; grandparents Andrew and Nellie (nee Glines) Oswell, and Henry and Anna (nee Mueller) Ziemann,  parents-in-law Roy and Dee Williams, aunts Frances (Jack) Ward and Doris (Tom) Metcalfe, uncles Don (Kay) Oswell, and James Oswell Sr.; cousins Elmer, Clara and Will Prueske; his great-nephew, Gavin Haggerty, and close friend and "brother from another mother" Jim Hudson.

Andy succumbed to a brief but fierce battle with a very aggressive cancer at Sharp Memorial Hospital.  He received excellent care from several branches of the Sharp system including their Hospice care team who, at the end, ensured that his passing was free from pain and anxiety.  The Sharp system also provided invaluable support to Andy's family, considering them active Care Partners and providing them with support and resources to encourage and facilitate their involvement in his care.  Throughout Andy's ordeal, he maintained his characteristic senses of duty, perseverance, kindness and humor.  His faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was unyielding and a great source of comfort to him.  Andy was an incredible son, father(-in-law), brother (-in-law), uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, and colleague. His kindness and steadfast love will be long remembered and sorely missed.  His family is planning a private memorial; in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare at www.cancercare.org.   For further information please contact Janet Luyet at (805) 558-5747.