Andrew Carnegie Currie, Jr. (PhD)

Andrew Carnegie Currie, Jr. (PhD), age 85, died of complications from Parkinson's Disease on February 20 at the Pillars Hospice Home.

Preceded in death by parents, Andrew C. Currie, Senior, and Elizabeth Gasson Currie; and wife, Carol Miller Currie.

Survived by wife, Ames Sheldon; children, Colleen Elizabeth Currie (Jeff Voss), Caren Currie Putrah (Trevor); stepdaughter, Anna Sheldon Phelps; and grandchildren, Gage Andrew Voss, Currie Elizabeth Putrah, Finley Martin Voss, and Sydney Faith Putrah.

Andy was a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and a graduate of Hiram College (BA), where he started the cross-country team and served as captain his first three years at Hiram and as co-captain his senior year. He went on to earn his MS at Purdue University and his PhD from The Ohio State University.

Starting at age 14 when he worked on the garbage truck with Harry Overly, Andy learned the joy of having fun while working hard.

Andy began his career in fund-raising at Hiram College and then two years later at the Akron Art Museum in Akron, OH, where he was hired to be Director of Development and Planning; then he served as Acting Director of the Museum. From that profound experience, Andy developed a love for contemporary art.

In 1973 Andy started his career as a fund-raising consultant working for C. W. Shaver and Company, Inc., in New York City, where he was promoted to Senior Vice President and in 1975 he relocated to Minneapolis. Then he was named President and Chief Operating Officer of C.W. Shaver. He established C.W. Shaver offices in Boston and Palo Alto as well. Some years later Andy started his own fund-raising firm as managing partner of Currie, Ferner, Scarpetta, & DeVries.

Andy helped more than 150 nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities and around the country. He was referred to as "the king of feasibility studies."

An avid golfer, Andy was a member of the White Bear Yacht Club, where he was named golf chairman and later Commodore. He served on the White Bear Yacht Club board of directors for 11 years.

Andy was a former member of the Board of Trustees and later Board of Visitors of Hiram College and was a member of the Hiram College Athletic Hall of Fame. Andy was a trustee of Shattuck-St. Mary's School.

He chaired the board of the Minnesota Humanities Commission (which became the Minnesota Humanities Center) and was chairman of the board of directors of the 1% Club. He also served on the board of the Minnesota Museum of Art.

Andy was a great believer and supporter of the Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale. His family thanks every one of the fabulously caring staff and volunteers at the Pillars.

A memorial service and celebration of Andy's life will be held on Friday April 10 at 4:00 pm at the Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN. Please wear blue in honor of Andy. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to the Andy Currie Legacy Fund for patient assistance at The Pillars Hospice Home, 6025 Upper 35th Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128.