Eugene "Gene" Andrews

A lifelong Long Beach Peninsula resident, Eugene "Gene" Andrews died on February 22, 2015 in Portland surrounded by his family. Gene was the second child of Ellen and David Andrews, born on August 17, 1941 in Ilwaco. During his early childhood summers he could be found swimming in the bay, fishing off the Nahcotta Jetty or building a fort with his buddies. He made many fond memories at the Ocean Park grade school playing sports as a member of the Blue Devils team. He also worked in the oysters during high school. Gene graduated from Ilwaco High School in 1959 and was a devoted Ilwaco High Fisherman until the end. After high school, he attended Portland Art School and Lower Columbia College in Longview. Gene was an outdoorsman and fisherman. He spent most of his life trolling, crabbing and gillnetting the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River and Willapa Bay. When he wasn't on water, he was in the woods, on the beach or on the bay tidelands. Gene would do just about anything for a buck. He picked huckleberry and salal sprays for local florists, pine cones for exporting, and peeled cascara bark. One would often find at least one of his daughters by his side on his boat. He spent much of "retired" life knee-high in mud digging little neck clams to sell to local retailers. Gene loved to have picnics and barbeques just about anywhere his old, beat-up truck could take him. He was a master chef at cooking hot dogs and hamburgers over an open fire. He loved to pick wild blackberries for cobblers and pies and took great pride in his vegetable garden and flowerbeds. Cars kept Gene busy when he wasn't traveling or working. He was a member of the Beach Barons Car Club and journeyed to car shows throughout the country. He had many old cars and was a connoisseur of a great flame-job/paint job. Gene loved to travel to sunny spots including his favorite places such as Hawaii and Lake Havasu. He made many friends along his many journeys. Gene is survived by his wife, Nicki and daughters, Nita Andrews (spouse Patty) and Khristy McRobert (spouse, Tim). He was a grandfather to Bradley, Zachary and Madison McRobert. He was proceeded in death by his father, mother, brother and nephew. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that any donations be made to Ilwaco High School Sports Boosters. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday February 28th at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, Washington at 2:00 pm. Following the Celebration everyone is invited to join us on a cruise of the Peninsula in Gene's honor.