Andrew David Darke, a most compassionate and large-hearted man, passed away suddenly on September 26. Ironically, this big-hearted man was taken from us because of an undetected enlarged heart.
Andrew’s passion for the outdoors initiated in Portland, Oregon, where he was born August 18, 1965. He attended college in upstate New York at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he studied industrial engineering and received an ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, Andrew moved around the country while serving in the U.S. Navy, after which he retired as a commander. He received the Navy Commendation Medal for heroism during the Persian Gulf War.
Andrew worked in the semiconductor industry in Northern California. While living there, he met his future wife, Debbie, on a night out with friends. He convinced Debbie to take his business card but only after asking her several times. She finally took that business card, recalling, “He wore his heart on his sleeve and was not too smooth.” If asked, Andrew would say he “was actually so smooth that he was able to appear not smooth.” On that first date, Andrew’s humor, intelligence, positive energy, and kindness captured Debbie’s heart. And by the end of the date, Andrew told her, “I don’t want to freak you out, but one day I’m going to marry you.” Seven months later, true to his promise, he did marry her.
