Remembering Andy Fogiel

In February, the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station community experienced a jarring loss — the sudden and unexpected passing of a dear colleague, Andy Fogiel.

Andy, a longtime MSU employee and KBS’s operations and safety coordinator since 2013, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, of complications from a surgery. The loss of Andy left a huge void in the KBS community; his impact and influence extended so far beyond the parameters of his job description.

About Andy

To put it simply, Andy was a singular part of the heart and soul of KBS. In addition to being always vigilant and on top of issues related to the safety and efficiency of operations at KBS, he was a longtime contributor to its Culture and Inclusion Committee, focusing intensely on connecting with the Indigenous cultures that originally lived on KBS land and also with making the KBS campus more physically accessible. He also forged close partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and other local groups, which contributed immensely to KBS’s security and grounding in the community.

Andy was known for, among many other things, his prolific email authorship. Seldom would a day go by without an email from Andy, ranging from passing along a problem with the autoclave or freight elevator to sharing personal reflections on things like the indigenous heritage of the lands on which we live and work, protecting our mental health, or being good stewards of our planet.

Andy loved his wife, Cassie; gardening, baseball, KBS, and so many other things. He was a fan of life in general. An observation at his KBS memorial service was spot-on: You’d be hard-pressed to find something that Andy wasn’t passionate about.

A memorial space

Windmill Island is a cherished place where KBS students, staff, faculty, and friends gather. We plan to honor Andy and the care and love he shared for this community gathering space by adding a picnic table and plaque in his memory.

If you would like to contribute, you can do so here. If you give, please be certain to check the “In Memory of an individual” box and add “Andy Fogiel” to be certain your gift goes toward the project. Enter “Cassie Fogiel” in the “Send Acknowledgement To” box.