Obituary for Carlton F Andrus

On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Carlton Farquhar Andrus died at the age of 82. He was known to his friends as Nick and to his 11 grandchildren as Grampi. He loved his family dearly and they were the center of his world. He loved sharing a story and a laugh with friends and strangers alike. His laugh was loud and all-consuming, and usually the room roared with laughter with him. He will be dearly missed.

Born in New York City on June 1, 1938, Nick was nicknamed Knickerbocker as the first person in his family history, which dates back to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1730, to be born in New York City. After graduating from Phillips Academy and Brown University, Nick moved to Washington, D.C. and spent 5 months on the staff of Senator Everett M. Dirksen (R - IL). He became active in the D.C Young Republicans and served as their Treasurer in 1965. Following work on the 1968 election and 1969 inauguration of President Richard M. Nixon, Nick joined the former Department of H.E.W. where he worked for over 7 years in a variety of legislative affairs positions. In 1977, he began nearly 4 years in the United States Senate as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Harry F. Byrd (I – VA) and Senator Robert C. Byrd (D – WV). In 1981, Nick moved to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), where he spent over 25 years doing budget work. His highest position was GAO’s Deputy Budget Officer.

Since his retirement in 2006, Nick sang in 3 church choirs. In 2008, Nick joined the Mt. Vernon Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Harmony Heritage Singers, and served as its President. He participated in the Meals-On-Wheels program and was active in the Alexandria chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), where he held several leadership positions including President.

In 1971, Nick married Katherine (Kathy) Louise Decker, formerly of Knoxville, TN, and Washington, D.C.. Nick and Kathy had five daughters. Their youngest daughter, Kathleen (Kate) McQuiston Andrus preceded him in death in 1992 at the age of 10. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his daughters Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Withers of Peoria, IL, Mary (Molly) Katherine Andrus Cross of Tampa, FL, Robin Andrus Kinzer of Arlington, VA, and Margaret Andrus Sickling of Auckland, New Zealand, and his 11 grandchildren and 4 sons-in-law. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Liz) Andrus Schoeberlein of Glen Ellyn, IL, his brother, Thomas (Tom) McQuiston Andrus of Portland, OR, and his Uncle Robert (Bobby) Farquhar Andrus of Chicago, IL.