Message From Richard Steinberg
August 29, 2006
Dear WestCare Family,
As many of you are probably aware, WestCare sustained a tremendous loss Sunday with the death of Arnold Andrews, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of our Eastern/Offshore Division. Arnold was on the Comair flight that crashed taking off from the Lexington Kentucky Airport. He was returning home from a WestCare Kentucky board meeting.
Arnold was a kind individual who possessed incredible humanitarian spirit and willingness to go above and beyond, always reaching out to those who lead lives of despair. Arnold was a deeply spiritual person, a visionary who possessed great humility, never wishing to call attention to his self. He was a tireless advocate for those less fortunate, and his work reached across the world to other countries, especially his homeland, Cuba.
Perhaps those who knew Arnold expressed it best through the messages they have sent to me since the tragedy:
• "On behalf of the entire WestCare Georgia family, I would like to express our sincere sympathy and deep sense of loss at the tragic passing of one of the most faithful and decent humanitarians that I have ever known." (Michael Langford, VP, WestCare Georgia)
• "Arnold was the epitome of 'Uplifting the Human Spirit.' This is a sad day for those who knew him. I will miss him." (Casey Bohn)
• "I am lost for words but know in my heart of hearts that he is with our Heavenly Father. He was a man of great faith, compassionate, caring and deeply spiritual. It is those of us who knew him so well that feel such a tremendous loss of a friend, leader and colleague. It could so easily have been you or me on that same flight with Arnold, but God had plans for us to carry on his legacy and mission to those who are needy, disenfranchised and downtrodden. May God bless him and grant him eternal rest." (Chris Yarnold, Special Projects Officer)
• "He is an inspiration in his grace and genuine love for humanity. He reminds us of what is good and right in the world." (Nancy Haag, VP, WestCare Arizona)
• "This is an opportunity for all of us to grow in the faith that Arnold so much had. For WestCare and for WestCare Puerto Rico, this is a great loss but a greater challenge to complete the dream Arnold had for our people in Puerto Rico. He will help us from heaven." (Paco Gonzalez, Puerto Rico)
It is fitting that Arnold had requested that a quote from the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. be included in the WestCare 2005 annual report: "We are not all called to be famous, but we are called to be great in service to our community."
We will keep you posted regarding plans for a memorial service. In the meantime, please remember Arnold's family in your prayers.
Richard Steinberg
President/CEO
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