Andrew C. Struble

Andrew Clark Struble died on April 7, 2015. He was born on March 14, 1925 to Dr. Andrew and Ida Clark Struble in Glasco. In 1943, he graduated from Glasco High School and immediately entered the U.S. Navy, having enlisted during the school year with his lifetime friend Stanley Plush. During World War II, Andy served as a tail gunner in a Navy plane in the Pacific Theater. On Mother's Day 1945, his plane was crippled by enemy fire, was losing fuel, and went down in the ocean. He and several crew members floated for 23 hours, awaiting rescue. In 1984, Andy received a Purple Heart fort wounds received in this incident.

After returning from the service, Andy attended the University of Kansas and earned a degree in pharmacy in 1949. He joined his father at the Struble Pharmacy in Glasco, and that fall, on September 25, 1949, he and Virginia Olson were married. They spent all their married life in Glasco where they raised 5 children. Andy owned and operated the Struble Pharmacy until 1988 when the business was sold and he "semi-retired."

Andy was active in Boy Scouts for many years on the local and council levels. He received the Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award for his service to this organization. In 1986, Andy was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia, Kansas Pharmacist of the Year. He was a past member of the Glasco Chamber of Commerce, Glasco City Council, VFW, USD 334 School Board, Nicol Home Board, and a girls' softball coach for many years.

Hobbies were camping, Kansas Jayhawks sports, and woodworking. Andy was an avid learner all of his life, shown most recently when he lost his eyesight but continued his education through books on tape, learning Braille, and computer training.

Survivors include his wife Nancy of the home; daughters Stephanie (Dennis) McAlister, Glasco, Andrea (David) Oliver, Osage City, Patricia (Clark) Coco, Topeka, and Lori (Jim) Lowell, Concordia; son Philip (Stephanie) Struble, Lawrence; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister Phyllis Struble, Glasco; sisters-in-law Evelyn Williamson, Glasco and Martha Ann Olson, Manhattan. Andy was preceded in death by his wife Virginia in 2003, an infant son, and an infant great-granddaughter.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the Glasco United Methodist Church. Burial of the ashes will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to Glasco VFW Post 7697 or the Audio Reader Program. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.