The Death of Andrew (Weeks)

Posted bypfannkucheaPosted inUncategorized

Dear Reader,

Andrew (Weeks) died on the night of 13/14 June 2024 following two years of ALS.

Andy’s death leaves a hole in all of our lives and I cannot begin to convey the sadness I feel writing these words. He was an amazing teacher, mentor, father, husband, comrade, stranger, and friend to so many people.

I invited us all to think critically about the world around us. About the machine of capitalism and of the plight of the migrant, who, in this 21st century, is to us as the slave was to the 19th and fascism was to the 20th.

Andy’s legacy lives on in our hearts, in our conversations, and in our research. Read! Write! Think! The world must be changed for the better, our work is to change it.

This blog will continue, albeit sparingly, and I invite those who are interested in contributing to contact me at andrew.pfannkuche[at]uni.lu. Andy’s memory will not be preserved in stone, but in the legacy he last left behind on those who believe that knowledge is the key to a better tomorrow.

R.I.P. Andy, and to our time in Bloomington, on the road, and at the Rue Tholozé.

Signed,

Andrew (Pfannkuche)

Published by pfannkuchea

A graduate student at the University of Luxembourg, I study the French Third Republic and liberalism more generally.

3 thoughts on “The Death of Andrew (Weeks)”

  1. Dear Andrew P,

    My last message to Andy, who was my boyfriend and partner for six years (in the late 70s and early 80s) was sent on Thursday, June 13 (from Vienna, Austria, where I live). I have no idea whether Andy still received it.

    Can you tell me: was Andy able to decide on the time of his exit or “did it happen to him”?

    I have no contact info for his family so I am asking you to express my condolences to his wife and children. It is very touching how much Andy loved his wife despite all tribulations and extensive periods of alienation.

    Thank you,

    Regina

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    1. Dear Regina,
      I do not know if Andy was able to choose his exit or if it came as a suprise. I believe that he saw the messages we sent him to the end, even when he could not reply. I’ve sent his family your condolences, he loved V. with all of his heart and I always found his dedication to her inspiring. Thank you for the kind message. It is beatiful to know that the joyful memories we have of him live on.
      Andrew (P)

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      1. Dear Andrew,

        Sincere thanks for your super swift response. Thank you also for sending Andy’s family my condolences. Can’t be easy for them now as much as there might be a sense of relief for them too.

        I may be wrong in my literary associations but everything Andy revealed about his situation at home over the past years and particularly the wretched stages of ALS reminded me of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”–in particular, the shifting of the human dynamics in Gregor’s home environment. It’s very comforting to know that in Andy’s case, the family rediscovered an emotionally warm response to his plight and thus the feelings of care, love, and respect Andy could experience and receive did much to free him from his body prison.

        Should you ever pass through Vienna, let me know–and we meet for some coffee with Kuchen or for a drink.

        Wishing you all the best for your studies and thanks for having been such a dedicated and loving friend to Andy!

        Herzliche Grüße, Regina

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