Obituary of Francis "Andy" James Handford

Francis "Andy" James Handford was born to Joan and George Handford on December 10, 1946 in London, England. He was the fourth of five children. Andy grew up in the northwest London post-war suburbs that he affectionately described as the "New Jersey of London". He attended the University of London for electrical engineering, and after realizing that the maths were his true interest, he transferred to Goldsmiths College and obtained a teaching certificate in Mathematics. Student teaching made Andy realize that traditional classroom education was not his passion, but climbing and the great outdoors were. He headed to Wales and landed his first job in Plas y Brenin Mountaineering Centre. The experience here added to his CV, with numerous qualifications in outdoor adventure activities. This led to a return to education when he took a position in Edinburgh, Scotland in the City Outdoor Education Centre, where he instructed countless students and teachers in the wonders and skills of the outdoors, including hill climbing, river and sea kayaking, ski mountaineering, spelunking, sailing, climbing, mountaineering, and seaside exploration. While on an expedition to the Himalayas with two friends in the summer of 1974, Andy's car was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Iran. Though this ended the expedition plans, it left Andy with two positives. First was an enduring memory of the kindness of the Iranian people who helped to feed, clean and care for this English stranger in their country. The second was to meet his future wife, Lynn, who was temporarily residing in England from Pennsylvania, and was employed as a physical therapist in the hospital where Andy was transferred. They were married in August of 1975 and returned to live in Edinburgh. In 1977, Andy was accepted to the Masters in Outdoor Education program at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Prior to matriculation, Andy and Lynn fulfilled a dream to ascend a Himalayan peak, and traveled overland to Afghanistan in a VW van, returning four months later by bus. Andy completed his Masters in the Spring of 1980 and was hired by The Colorado Springs School to head the school's Experiential Education program. He also returned to the classroom to teach mathematics. He taught at The Colorado Springs School for seventeen years, and then moved to Fountain Valley School of Colorado in 1997, where he taught for another thirteen years. Andy's teaching career was hallmarked by his ability to bring experiential education to students. This was not only in outdoor settings, but in life experiences, by having his students work with special populations and the homeless, and by having them learn about childhood development with preschoolers and Colorado history with immersion into a pioneer experience. He also brought experiential education to the math classroom from Algebra I to Precalculus and finally, Statistics. He was an avid supporter of all the high school students he taught and parented, twice being awarded The Varsity Club award at Fountain Valley School for his support of the student athletes. Andy was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 as a Super Fan, and was also recognized the same year at the Founders Day Celebration at The Colorado Springs School for his contribution to their students and programs. Andy's life passion was creativity in travel and adventure, which he shared with many friends, but especially with the two people he loved the most, Lynn and their son, Duncan. Every adventure meant designing and making a new piece of equipment, from mosquito resistant clothing for a Canadian canoe trip with Lynn and friends, to lightweight gear for a Colorado Springs to Pennsylvania bike trip with Duncan, to a collapsible two man sea kayak for Baja, Newfoundland, and Everglades trips with Lynn. As a couple and a family, they visited multiple places within North America and three other continents. Andy will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, sibling, and friend. Everyone will also remember his infectious smile, quick wit, eternal optimism, unique creativity, endless patience, and sincere kindness. Andy is preceded in death by his parents, Joan and George; an infant sister, Patricia Susan; his brothers-in-law, Ken and Craig; and his father-in-law, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; their son, Duncan and his wife, Kali; his sister, Jinnie; his brother, Anthony and his wife, Pat; his brother, Vincent and his wife, Celeste; his sister-in-law, Jan; his mother-in-law, Bettina; and by eleven nieces and nephews, plus their eighteen children. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Andy's memory to The Nature Conservancy, and take a walk with your family and/or friends in your favorite park or on your favorite trail.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909