I have been trying to compose a fitting tribute to Andy since I heard
the news and I find I am at a loss for words.  I too never met the man
other than on the internet and I'm honored to have had the privilege.
 
It was apparent that Andy was failing when he posted to the list that
he was "fighting with the 4 horseman and am not good for long even at
the keyboard".  What a way he had with words!  Andy's absence from his
keyboard was becoming obvious to many and the longer he was silent
the more I feared for the worst.
 
When the sad news finally came it was posted from Andy's own account.
I saw the mail header and my spirits jumped as I thought he must be
doing better as he's back at his computer again!  Then when I read the
contents saying he had passed on I thought Andy's pulling our leg,
posting his own obituary ala Tom Sawyer.  What a jokester!  It took a
moment before the reality of the situation hit home.  I am deeply
saddened.
 
I have been in touch with one of Andy's friends, a self described
computer nerd who learned computers with Andy.  One of the things that
always impressed me about Andy was that a man of his years was so
current with computer technology.  His Wild Bees Bulletin Board was
WAY ahead of its day and when the technology caught up with and passed
his BBS, Andy jumped right into the thick of it to update his skills to
take advantage of the world wide web.  I do not know for sure, but I
believe he was self taught.
 
This friend of Andy's is Joanne Hoefer, owner of the bookstore where
Andy told us we could find _50_Years_Among_the_Bees_ (it's not there
anymore ;).  Joanne has been helping with the arrangements.  Some of
what she has written to me follows.
 
> I am emailing all the bee folks I know to get the word out so if you
> would pass it on for me it would help.
>
> Andy died of pneumonia caused by melanoma that had just run rampant
> in the past three weeks.  It happened so fast it was a shock to us
> all.
>
> Mrs. Brandi of the Bee Brandi's of Los Banos did a hero's job of
> helping him to stay at home and get in-house care.  Both she and I
> were with him the last day as well as a step-son.  I only knew him
> about 5 years or so - we were computer nerds together and we shared
> the various online services between us and of course he did a lot of
> computer consulting out of my store and loved to sit and drink coffee
> and chat with everyone, local and out of towners who happened to
> stop by.
>
> Andy really enjoyed each of you and your questions, ideas, and use of
> his pages.
 
I have offered to collect together the many tributes that have been
posted on BEE-L and sci.agriculture.beekeeping to Andy and send them to
Joanne.  These will be available for people to read at Andy's memorial
service scheduled for Monday.
 
> From: Joanne Hoefer
> Subject: Service for ANDY
>
> Friends are welcome to attend:
> Services for Andy Nachbaur will be held Monday March 29, 1999 at
> 9:30am at St. Joseph's Church on Center street in Los Banos, Ca.
> Center is directly off highway 152.  Turn at the 4th street light on
> highway 152 (taco bell on corner) and go one block south and turn
> right and you are at church.
>
> Reception after services will be held at the Harrsions - directions
> given at church.  Andy will be buried in family plot in Arizona at a
> later date.
 
I have been extracting Andy's post from the archives to compile as
Faith suggested.  He sure had a lot to say!  In the process I came
across perhaps the best tribute to Andy, written by one Anton J.
Nachbar, Jr.  Availing myself of the always generous "Permission given
to copy the document in any form, or to print for any use", I submit
it for your consideration.
 
> Date:    Wed, 27 Aug 1997 08:14:12 -0700
> From:    Andy Nachbar <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: comb honey
>
> At 10:20 AM 8/26/97 -0700, Andy L. Kettlewell wrote:
>> Do you know Anton J. Nachbar Jr.?
>
> Yep, I know him very well. Some say he is just an old opinionated "son
> of a bee", which may be true as he has been connected with beekeeping
> since 1954.  Once he was a commercial beekeeper from Los Banos,
> California, he also has had beekeeping operations in Meeker, Colorado,
> and Arivaca, Arizona.
>
> Well known in the beekeeping industry and by those who would regulate
> it and state and national legislatures.  He was responsible, at times
> single handed, for the "beekeeper indemnification program", and
> deregulation of beekeeping in California and other states.  He has
> proven that a few beekeepers can effect change in the USA if armed
> with the weapons of truth and no money.  He is well know for his
> support of beekeeping research and is one of the few beekeepers who
> does support both basic and applied beekeeping research believe it or not.
>
> He is not a power broker in beekeeping politics and over the years has
> earned a reputation for honesty and straight talking and is respected
> for his original ideas.  He takes great pride on the fact that he as a
> beekeeper with nothing to sell other beekeepers other then ideas and
> experience and has been honored as a speaker at state and national
> beekeeping meeting many times if only to balance out the programs
> which are many times overloaded with those outside the "hands on"
> beekeeping industry.
>
> Some say he is funny, he also has made grown men cry, and some have
> made a show of walking out when he speaks.  He is often quoted by
> others...
>
> What else do you want to know.  Personally I know he is OK, he takes
> St. John's Wart pills to keep it together.  Is divorced but his X
> continues to be his friend.  Several of the high school kids that
> worked for him are now large successful commercial beekeeper in
> California and North Dakota.  One of them is his next door neighbor.
>
> In My Humble Opinion
> ttul, the OLd Drone
>
> "I have met him, and he is me"
> Anton J. Nachbaur, Jr is the payroll signature for Andy Nachbaur.
 
Submitted with the highest respect and honor,
Aaron Morris