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Andrew Voth - Year Entered 1966

Andrew Voth

Andrew Charles Voth August 4, 1947 - July 5, 2015 Andrew was taken much too soon when he suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack on July 5, 2015. He was a remarkable individual who dedicated most of his life to making the world a better place through art, music and education. He had a rare and extraordinary gift of combining creativity with business acumen. He was a California licensed insurance broker and supporter of the arts. As long-time president of a local nonprofit arts organization, Andrew created an art collection valued at over $23 million, which was transferred last year to Westmont Colleges Ridley-Tree Museum of Art in Santa Barbara. From 1981 to 1994, Andrew was Cultural Arts Supervisor for the City of Oxnard and Director of the Carnegie Arts Museum, which he established out of the former Carnegie Cultural Arts Center. As director, he arranged over 150 exhibits and special events, including Dialogues in Creativity that featured talks by creative geniuses Ray Bradbury and Terence McKenna. He worked with the Oxnard Cultural and Fine Arts Commission to develop art policies and projects for the city, assisted with the setup of the Ventura County Maritime Museum and Gullwings Childrens Museum, and wrote the Art in Public Places Resolution for the city. He administered Oxnards Art in Public Places Program from 1985 to 1997, and later, as a volunteer, served as the Chair of the Art and Public Places Committee. During this time, Andrew served on the board of trustees of the California Association of Museums for eight years. Andrew brought the first Scottish games and celebration of Celtic culture to Ventura County by producing the Celtic Lands Faire in 1997 and 1998 in Oxnard. At the 1997 faire, he premiered Ojai performing group, Celtic Spring, that later went on to become a finalist in the television program, Americas Got Talent. Andrew produced albums for Celtic performer Celeste Ray and her group, Four Celtic Women. He was also responsible for funding many local arts organizations as well as students of music and visual arts. Andrew graduated with a B.A. from Ambassador College, Pasadena, in 1970. At the college, he was Director of Publications, 1971 to 1976; Chairman of the Art Department, 1976 to 1978; and Director of Galleries and Fine Arts, 1978 to 1980. He managed the colleges permanent collection of paintings, scheduled exhibits and cultural events and hosted dignitaries including Vladimir Horowitz, Pavarotti, James Garner, Bob Hope, Pearl Bailey, Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball and many others. Andrew was thrilled to reconnect recently with many college friends at a reunion. In the weeks just before he passed, he loved posting his college experiences on the reunion website. He was a superb writer so his stories were popular. Andrew also served as the Director of the Pasadena Festival of Art and Science in 1979 and 1980; was Vice President of the Pasadena Arts Council, was on the Board of Trustees of the Pasadena Historical Society and Museum, and the board of the Pasadena Institute for the Arts. He demonstrated gifts in art and music as a youth. At age 13, he apprenticed to renowned portrait artist Jack Richard and later studied with Robert Brackman of the Art Students League, New York City. His early music education was under the tutelage of St. Pauls Episcopal Churchs Men and Boys Choir in Akron. Andrew sang for many years with the Ventura County Master Chorale and with his church choir. His marvelous tenor voice will be missed. Andrew grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and was looking forward to buying a home there and attending his 50th year high school reunion in the fall at Cuyahoga Falls High School. He was excited about seeing high school friends and becoming better acquainted with new generations of family in Ohio. Andrew was a self-taught architect and house builder, lifelong learner, a great humorist and wit, huge fan of Harry Potter and Clive Cussler, and Jonathan Winters. He was an entrepreneur, master chef, loyal friend and a loving brother, uncle and cousin. He was deeply spiritual and was truly at peace with his beliefs about the afterlife. Andrew is preceded in death by brother, Ron Voth, and parents, Dorothy and Roland Voth. He will be missed by his beloved sister, Christine Voth (Oxnard) and brother, Eric Voth (Ohio) and by many family members, including nieces, Victoria Voth, Denise Voth Sedgwick and Sara Voth; nephew, Josh Voth; cousins Norma Blank, Virginia Alt, Dave Hudson, Melinda McIlroy and Laurie Albanese.



 
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07/06/15 10:43 AM #1    

Emma Jane Aka E. J. Denny (B S 1975) (Cotran)

Andy was a dear friend to my sister, Charla Denny, and our family and he will certainly be missed.  I shall never forget the portrait he painted of my sister Charla when she was alive and presented the gift to our family, which hung in our living room at home for many years.  Andy also joined us on a family cruise to Mexico to celebrate my parents 25th wedding anniversary which we have fond memories of.  Andy holds a special place in our hearts and it was due to the bond he and Charla always had through the years.  Here is a recent picture of Andy during the reunion with my husband and friend, Jeannie Gladden.  Rest in Peace my friend.

 

 

 


07/06/15 05:19 PM #2    

Cledice Decker (1959)

From Leslie Anderson-Aitken:

Deceased Classmate: Andrew Voth, 1966
Date Of Birth: 
Date Deceased: 07-05-2015
Age at Death: 
Cause of Death: 
Classmate City: Oxnard
Classmate State: CA
Classmate Country: USA
Survived By: Sister in law, Beverly Voth.

Andrew was a talented artist and singer. I first met him in Akron when he started attending church there. It was great to see him at the reunion there this spring. Rest in peace! 

 


07/26/15 05:45 PM #3    

John D. Schroeder (1958)

Andy was a cherished and trusted friend. When our son died in a tragic accident, Andy was one of the first to call. He conducted the church choir for me while I was busy with other engagements. Just recently Michelle and I spoke with him on the telephone and went back and forth with emails. A couple years ago we ate with him near Oxnard and he told us of his many exciting and ambitious plans for the future.

His impact on the Arts in Oxnard was huge and multi-faceted, something good for everyone. His financial escapades were as amazing and honorable as they were profitable -- and enabled his generous philanthropism. For example, he donated 3,642 art pieces, valued at over $23,000,000, to Westmont College Art Museum in Santa Barbara and planned to build a private art museum in Ohio.

I can't believe this humble, jolly, witty, extremely gifted and bright, capable, enterprising, energetic soul has left us. The loss is impossible, yet true. How can Andy Voth be gone? He was so very much on top of things and moving toward such a bright future. He seemed in the best of health.

In the Jewish world we say, with difficulty, “Baruch Dayan haEmet!” Blessed [is] the True Judge. But this one hurts much too deeply. Rest in peace, Andy, and if possible, be on your best behavior till we meet again. ;)


08/01/15 07:12 PM #4    

Mike Feazell (1969)

It was such a shock to learn of Andy's death only a couple of days after we had an email exchange about more philanthropic plans he had in mind. He was a special bright spot at the Pasadena reunion and it was a treat to spend some time with him. Andy leaves a wonderful legacy of art, generosity and the milk of human kindness. How fleeting is life. 


08/04/15 06:38 AM #5    

Mary Mancewicz (Ogwyn) (1970)

Happy Birthday Dear Andy! Oh, how you are missed!


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