Michael Allan Andrus

MISSOULA-Michael Allan (Al) Andrus, iconoclast, gadfly and school teacher, went to his reward Friday, July 23, 2021. He was born February 9, 1930, in Miles City, Montana, the second son of Edson Allan “Scotty” Andrus and Genevieve Rachel McMahon. Allan spent his formative years in Miles City, attending the local grade school, learning to swim in the springs outside of town, fishing the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers. In 1941 the family moved to Missoula where Allan attended Missoula County High School and played on two championship football teams. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Al joined the Air National Guard and went to Alaska. He served nine months on the island of Adak in the Aleutian chain between two active volcanoes. After his honorable discharge he returned to Missoula where he attended the University of Montana, graduating with a BA in psychology and philosophy. He later earned a master’s degree in science education from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He was the recipient of a Fullbright scholarship to Germany, and a Fullbright appointment to Tangiers, Morocco. He also taught in London and Switzerland. He married Lois Michels of Medicine Lake, Montana, and had two children, David Andrus and Eileen Andrus Schutte. After many years of travel, the two divorced and Allan married Louise Guay. Both wives preceded him in death. as did his older brother Wyman. He is survived by his children, a granddaughter Emma, his brother Tommy, cousin Jim Bullock, niece Genevieve, grandniece Araya, and nephew Patrick, all of Missoula. Allan was proud of his Montana heritage, and had pioneers on both sides of the family. Allan taught for over 60 years at every level from kindergarten to college. While in London, he met A. S. Neill, the founder of Summerhill. Allan was fond of quoting Neill, “With the advent of Freud, we thought we had a tool for educating children. Later on it was realized the only thing that worked was freedom: FREEDOM. ” Allan also admired Leo Tolstoy, who believed children should not be forced to go to school. Allan loved the Native American people. He taught at the Nebraska Teachers College, in Chadron, Nebraska, adjacent to the Pineridge Indian Reservation. He and a colleague attended a Native American Church Peyote Rite, “a most moving experience. ” He was an adjunct professor of mathematics at UM for fourteen years. He participated in the Upward Bound Program where he taught immigrants and Native American students, which he greatly enjoyed. In addition to teaching, Allan painted houses as well as many other jobs. He and his second wife Louise worked at Toole Avenue Food Market, and spend a few winters in Mexico, where they both taught. In his later years, Allan joined the IWW, the International Workers of the World (the Wobblies). However, if asked what political position he held, Allan would probably say he agreed with Will Rogers who responded to the question of whether he belonged to an organized political party, “No, I’m a Democrat. ” Allan learned his life’s philosophy from an old mountaineer he met in Switzerland who told him the secret to walking in the mountains was to “just put one foot in front of the other. ” Allan walked up Waterworks Hill and to the M many times over his years in Missoula. Well into his eighties he got all the way up Mt. Sentinel “putting one foot in front of the other. ” Lastly, he was a regular at the old Eddy’s Club, later Charley B’s, where he visited and conversed with his many friends almost daily. He was my brother and I loved him. He was a good friend and loyal comrade and he is missed. Here is another of his favorite quotes from Walt Whitman: “Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune. Henceforth I whisper no more, postpone no more, need nothing. Done with indoor complaints, librarian, querulous criticisms! Strong and content, I travel the open road. ” A celebration of Al’s life will be held on Saturday, September 18th, 3 p. m. at Unity of Missoula, 546 South Avenue West, Missoula. Tom Andrus