Patrick Joseph McAndrews, born April 2, 1944, passed away surrounded by loved ones on October 25, 2026. Pat was an adventurer, a veteran, a father, a brother, a son, a husband and grandfather.
Pat served our country honorably from 1963-1965 in the United States Army, and 1965-1969 in the Army Reserve.
Pat’s love for adventure was contagious. Whether that meant parachuting out of airplanes in the service, riding his bike for long miles, hunting deer in the woods on his property, paddling down rapids on any river, hiking the bluffs of the Driftless region, tapping maple trees around his property to make maple syrup, tending to his bees and making honey, or cooking up some marshmallows over a fire, Pat was the guy to go outside with.
Pat was also an invested community member, helping his friend Roger Meyer and the Friends of Houston Nature Center by building the treehouse playhouse, overlooks and wood walkways, the bridge that accommodates ATVs, as well as benches around the trees for everyone who visited the Houston Nature Center. If you couldn’t find him there, he would be at the International Owl Center, riding the trails around the Root River, or anywhere throughout the tri-counties, or sitting on his porch listening to the birds.
Most distinctively to his family, Pat’s drive to show up for his people was insurmountable. Whether that meant caring for his late wife Carla, for every stage of their life together, or being at every single sporting event for his kids and granddaughters, Pat was always there. If it was snowing or pouring rain, he was on the sidelines of the soccer field, bundled up and ready to go.
Undoubtedly, every individual who had the privilege of knowing this man has incredible stories from him or about him. He had a big heart, wild spirit and unmatched sense of humor. His presence will be missed, but the memories will forever be in our hearts and minds.
We will be hosting a celebration of life at the cabin. Please join us in celebrating Pat’s life on November 21 at 10824 State Hwy. 76, Caledonia, Minnesota from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with spoken word at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please send donations to the International Owl Center, 126 E Cedar St. Houston, MN 55943, or by visiting internationalowlcenter.org/donate, or donations can be made to The Friends of Houston Nature Center, P.O Box 731, Houston, MN 55943.
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