Paul Andrew "Andy" Saurer

Paul Andrew (Andy) Saurer (1953-2023)

If ever there were a “joyful noise”, it came from the trumpet, bass, guitar, banjo or voice of Andy Saurer!

Born April 23, 1953, Andy was the son of Nadine (Anderson) and Paul Roman Saurer, Jr. of Azalia, Indiana.

Andy died September 17 with his sister, Susan Wheatley, and her husband, David Wheatley at his side in the Louisville Jewish Hospital. He died of complications from COVID 19 after a long battle with pulmonary disease and a double lung transplant.

“Grandy” (as he came to be known) is also survived by his daughter Megan Saurer Reynolds and son in-law Tyler Reynolds, a granddaughter, Hazel Jade Reynolds and grandson, Henry Kai Reynolds. He is also survived by three half-siblings Carol Smith, Bill Simpson, and Tom Simpson.

Andy graduated from Columbus High School in 1971, where he was a trumpet player and drum major for the marching band, under the direction of Elwyn Brown. He studied trumpet and music at Indiana University. He went on to play bass violin in both the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony. He also played trumpet, washtub bass, guitar, banjo in big bands and Bluegrass bands throughout his life.

Andy owned several businesses including Handy Andy construction company where he was an HVAC technician electrician. He apprenticed under his uncle, Pete Saurer, in Nashville, IN becoming an accomplished jewelry artist. He used that same lost wax casting technique to open a dental lab making bridge work and crowns.

A lifetime member of the Quaker Church, Andy could be seen fixing the roof, or raising money at hog roasts to sustain the old meeting house.

Andy combined his abilities to fix things with his humanitarian upbringing after Hurricane Katrina, going to Slidell, Louisiana to help rebuild homes for those in need for many months.

The public is welcome to celebrate Andy’s life on October 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. on the family farm 13071 S. 350 E. Elizabethtown, IN 47232.

Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.

Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.