Andrew William "Andy" EASTON

About

Colorado State University

Andrew EASTON Obituary

Passed away peacefully at his home in South America on July 3, 2025, aged 77 years. Andy had a full and interesting life - he was raised in Hastings, graduated from Victoria University in 1969 and received a scholarship for postgraduate study at Colorado State University, where he met his first wife, Carol. They were raising two children in Rotorua before her death in 1987. Andy returned to the USA in 2000 and was later happily married to Patricia Gómez until the time of his passing. Andy is survived by his sister, Catherine Bailey, and his children, John Easton (USA), Elsa Wright (Christchurch), Rosanna (Australia) and William (Canada). A proud grandfather of Anastasia, Liam, Krista, Ava and also his other grandchildren. Andy made a prolific contribution to the orchid world and was still travelling internationally and making new advances in orchid hybridisation in his 'retirement'. Andy had a strong sense of humour, spoke his mind, was generous and maintained friendships across the world throughout his lifetime - both new and old. In accordance with Colombian traditions, Andy's funeral rites were completed over the weekend. He is remembered fondly by those who loved him.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Press on Jul. 9, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew EASTON

3 Entries

Jan Poland

November 3, 2025

Andy and I started school together at St Joseph's in Hastings. In Std 3 we transferred to St Marys when it first opened.
Andy was my first "date". We biked up to the pictures in Hastings and later progressed to getting the bus to Napier to go dances.
Andy was a truely good and dear friend and we remained in touch all our lives.
Condolences to Catherine and family.

How you can show support

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Don Jellyman

September 2, 2025

Andy and I became mates at university and I have many memories of pranks we carried out, capping day processions, traveling to the university field station at Taurewa in his old model A Ford etc. He was a larger than life character and a gifted orchid breeder. If family were interested, I could share some memories. RIP old friend - we had different values but a mutual respect. Andy brightened up many dull university labs and lectures!

Clive Washington

July 9, 2025

To Andy´s family
I would like to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of Andy. He was an esteemed colleague and I valued his friendship and humour over the years.
I first met Andy back in the early 1980´s when he was at the old Geyserland Orchids site. Our meeting was due to my involvement with Orchid growing media which we had developed for export.
His intense mentoring helped me understand the necessity to create consistent media for the orchid industry.
The industry is going to miss his skills and his great singing voice at Karaoke.

Clive Washington
[email protected]

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Memorial Events
for Andrew EASTON

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.