Andrew Kaegi

Andrew Kaegi, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2022, at the age of 80, in Whitehorse, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife Susan, his son Simon (Erin), stepson Chris (Jenn), and grandchildren Adam, David, Emma, Allison and Amelia. He is also survived by his siblings Rosemarie (Alex) and Peter, and their families.

Born in Bern, Switzerland, Andrew grew up in New Zealand, where he completed high school and earned his degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Otago. He later moved to Canada, where he completed his Fellowship in Hematology and Internal Medicine at McMaster University.

Andrew was a skilled medical professional and a dedicated practitioner. He worked as an assistant professor, director of the blood transfusions service in Calgary and Toronto, and a medical entrepreneur. Throughout his career, he was known for his empathy and his ability to connect with his patients, providing them with the best care possible. Andrew was committed to improving the lives of his patients and was always looking for new and innovative treatments.

Andrew lived with Alzheimer’s and was a passionate advocate for raising awareness about the lived experience of dementia. He was determined to help others with the disease and their caregivers by sharing his own experiences. He and Susan were invited to the National Dementia Strategy Conference in Ottawa, where their active participation helped form the basis of the National Dementia Strategy. Andrew hoped to leave a lasting legacy of awareness in Whitehorse and was always willing to talk to anyone or ask for help because of his condition. In the later stages of the disease, Andrew required more care and spent his last two years at Copper Ridge Place, where he received exceptional care. Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, the church community and his many close friends visited regularly, helping to keep Andrew connected, for which his family will be forever indebted.

Outside of work, Andrew had a passion for the outdoors. He loved fishing, rock hounding, and gold panning, and was always eager to explore new places, even if it meant getting lost along the way. His enthusiasm was contagious and he created many cherished memories with family and friends during these excursions.

Andrew was devoted to his wife, Susan, and shared many adventures and a deep connection during their 28 years together. He will be remembered for his kind heart, infectious smile, and unwavering optimism. Andrew touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

A celebration of Andrew’s life will be held on June 30, 2023, at Whitehorse United Church at 2:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time). A reception will follow in the church hall. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed on the Whitehorse United Church Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Whitehorse United Church or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.