Ben F. Andrick, Jr., 68, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016 flying his personal aircraft. Flying was his true passion in life.
Ben was born September 3, 1947 at St. Joseph Hospital in Alliance Nebraska to Ben and Ethel Andrick. He was raised on a ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills, north of Ellsworth. Ben’s love for adventure and interest in flying started here. He attended high school at Nebraska Christian and learned to fly by age 16.
After high school, Ben enlisted in the Army, served 1½ year’s stateside and 1½ years with the 213th assault support helicopter company, “the Blackcats”, in Vietnam as a flight engineer on a Chinook CH47 helicopter.
Ben worked throughout the United States and South America as a mechanic. He pursued a BSN in nursing and worked at Box Butte General Hospital in the ER, med/surg and as a charge Nurse in the Dialysis unit. He recently helped found the non-profit American Warfighter Outdoors.
Ben was kind, generous and made a difference in the lives of many. He was an amazing listener, always made time for his children and instilled a strong work ethic in them. He adored his four grandchildren and they adored him.
Ben is survived by his children, Sonny (Jill) Andrick; Courtney (Mike) Connell; Nathan (Jhaimi) Andrick; Kelly (Jim) Harpole; 4 grandchildren; his brother David Andrick; and three sisters, Lois (Dan) Hutchinson; Susan (Ken) Holloway; Marjorie (Rick) Guernsey. His wife Judy of 34 years and sister Sandra Brungard preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Alliance, NE. Pastor Bob Townsend from Pleasant Point Community Church will officiate. Burial with military rites will follow at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the pilots, copilots, ranchers and organizations who aided in the search and rescue efforts.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.