I'm now in San Francisco and unable to attend the 9 October gathering to honor Andy, but I'll be there in spirit with the following I'd like to share with you about our late dear friend.

Although we did not know each other well at the Naval Academy, Andy and I go back to the early 80s when we met in Geneva. At the time we discussed my interest in establishing a technology brokerage firm there. He actively encouraged and supported me in my efforts to do just that. In fact he offered for me to stay at his home for several weeks while I laid the ground work for a consultancy.  After 25  years of consulting during which I could always count on him for advice,  I shut down my firm to join another group doing something similar. Andy was there again and available to provide counsel. Our personal, social and professional interactions spanned over more than 30 years. During this time,  he was always ready, willing and able to help me, and others for that matter, resolve any problem large or small, always coming up with imaginative solutions…with a "why not" instead of a "why" approach. Also, he was a "great connector" to wit, his creation of the Burlamaqui Society 25 years ago that brought together people of diverse backgrounds to debate current political  and social issues in the context of the Declaration of Independence's "… inalienable right to individual liberty and pursuit of happiness..". Under Andy's  aegis, the evenings I participated in these gatherings were always lively and thought-provoking.

When I introduced him to Heidi, my new wife, they immediately connected on many topics including the political front - Heidi agitating for Republicans and Andy on behalf of Democrats.  He and Chantal welcomed us to his in-laws' home in the Savoie where French Resistance were active during WWII. There, he detailed their exploits in the manner Andy was wont to do. We cherish this visit as truly memorable in the early days of our engagement. Also, we will treasure the last time we were with Andy in Geneva a few weeks before he died during which we pursued a lively discussion on religion over dinner. 

I shall miss him very much  as a friend,  classmate and and tireless advocate for overseas Americans.  

Bert

On August 30th 2012, the Class of 1962 lost a dear friend and colleague, Andy Sundberg who died following surgery.  Bracketed by an uncle in the Class of 1921, a brother in Class of 1968, and a nephew in the Class of 1996, at Navy Andy was a brilliant advocate for change and a staunch competitor on the soccer field.  He was an outstanding student and linguist, stood third in the class, and  had a unique ability to explain complex ideas.  At Navy  he was on the GE College Bowl team beating Army in 1960 and captained the team in 1961.  He founded the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs (NAVFAC) Conference that continues today.  He had a phenomenal ability to bring people together and a collegial leadership style that focused on the human touch

The year after graduation, Andy won a Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford  University where he earned  his 'blue' in lacrosse against Cambridge three times.      He served as a surface warfare officer in the Cuban Missile crises before being diagnosed with a career-ending condition.   Receiving a medical discharge in 1968, Andy moved to Geneva.  He became an economic and business consultant and was active in Russia after the cold war and Vietnam reconstruction.

Aside from his beloved wife Chantal, daughters Fanny and Nancy and granddaughter Manon, Andy's passion was politics.  He actively represented the interests of the six million Americans living abroad and founded of the American Children’s Citizens Rights League and American Citizens Abroad which now has members in 90 countries.   He was on a first-name basis with many government leaders throughout the world and in1988, he was drafted as 'favorite son' candidate for President by the Democratic Party contingent of Overseas Americans.  In 1995, Andy co founded an Internet Service Provider that  was later sold giving him recognition as a leading entrepreneur in Geneva.

While in Geneva, he organized the Adam Smith Society, the Burlamaqui Club, and  the Overseas American Academy as well as a series of  town hall meetings, throughout Switzerland,  addressing the interests of overseas Americans.  He still found  time to develop micro-finance projects in partnership with African diaspora groups in Europe.

Andy was a true American patriot, entrepreneur and citizen of the world.  He was one of those extraordinary people who's many contributions to world peace and global understanding will never be fully known.   He will be sorely missed by classmates, family and an enormous number of  friends and colleagues throughout the world.