Andrew “Andy” Bambrick, 83, of Perry passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at the Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials will be given to the walking trail at the Dallas County Hospital or the children’s program at the Perry Public Library and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home and Cremation Care.
Andrew F. Bambrick, the eldest of seven children, was born to Andrew J. Bambrick and Mary E. Ryan in a small anthracite coal mining village, Dark Water, Pennsylvania.
After he graduated from high school, Andy served proudly in the U.S. Navy.
With the help of the G.I. Bill, he finished his undergraduate work at St. Joseph’s and St. Charles colleges, both in Philadelphia.
Andrew completed his doctoral degree at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. His internship in family psychology was at Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in Philadelphia.
The major positions he held during his career were co-director of training and supervision at Lehigh University’s Centennial School, family research project in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Clinical Administrator, HCA Psychiatric Hospital in Deer Park, Texas; Consultant for the U.S. Army at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Bambrick made numerous clinical presentations in the U.S., Canada, Holland and Belgium. He also made contributions as a book reviewer, columnist, editor, grant writer and fellow researcher.
Andrew was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mary Bambrick; his sister, Bridget; and brother, Vincent.
He is survived by the love of his life, the Rev. Barbara Bambrick; step-family members, three adults, Dave (Deb) Hansen, Cindy (Todd) Jafvert and Stephen (Donna) Hansen; seven step-grandchildren, Stephanie Lawson, Lindsay Bershauer, Don Jafvert, Melissa Cruit, Justin Hansen, Dylan Hansen and Tyler Hansen; six step-great-grandchildren, Ben Bershauer, Bella Lawson, Zackary Lawson, Leah Jafvert, Luke Jafvert and Isadora Cruit; sisters, Marie Bambrick, Patricia Bambrick and Kathleen Kunes; brother, Thomas Bambrick; and numerous nieces and nephews.
During retirement, Andy held active memberships in the Perry Lions Club, Society of Retired Educators (SORE), Friends of the Perry Public Library and Dallas County Hospital Well and Fitness Members.
He was greatly loved by his wife, Barbara; family; and many friends. He was a Blessing of God to us all.
“For the full fruitfulness of spiritual life begins in gratitude for life, in the consent to live and in the greater gratitude that seeks to be dissolved and to be with Christ.” –Thomas Merton, “No Man is an Island”
