Charles Mecham Andrus

Charles Mecham Andrus was born to Owen and Bernice Andrus in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was affectionately known as Chuck, Char, Brother Andrus, Dr. Andrus, Dr. Chuck, and Arch Buddy.

Chuck passed peacefully at the age of 76 at Renown Regional Medical Center following a multi-year battle with esophageal cancer. His wife and close friends were with him at his passing. He is survived by his wife, Marcy, and brother, Owen Andrus, and preceded in death by his parents.

Chuck grew up in Holladay, Utah and surrounding communities where he attended elementary, junior high, and high school. Following high school, he and a friend enlisted in the National Guard. Chuck completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and then artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Chuck was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Northern States Mission, spending a good portion of his time in Canada. Upon completing his missionary service, he attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He graduated with a degree in Zoology, applied for veterinary school, and was accepted to Colorado State University. Following his graduation from vet school, he moved to Reno, Nevada to begin his veterinary career. It was in Reno that he met, courted, and married Marcy in 1985.

Chuck was an animal lover! From farm animals while growing up, raising homing pigeons as a teenager, to caring for other’s pets and animals as a veterinarian, and having his own goats, chickens, sheep, cats, and several Dobermans, a dog breed he loved, working with animals was always a big part of his life!

Chuck’s hobbies and interests were many and varied. He was an avid coin collector. He loved the outdoors and anything which took him there – hiking, backpacking, camping, cycling, exploring and geocaching. He was also an entrepreneur with projects ranging from building and selling dog houses and cat furniture to managing rental homes.

Chuck’s legacy is his boundless kindness and charity to all he met and to the hundreds of youth and young adults who view him as a friend and mentor. His life made so many others’ lives more enjoyable, easier, inspired, and more informed, plus his Christ-like characteristics inspired greatness in others.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 21 at 2:00 PM at the Eagle Canyon church building, 935 Mercedes Dr, Sparks, Nevada

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society using the Hope Lodge Salt Lake City donation link here: Hope Lodge Salt Lake City , or mail: 375 East 100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 or call 801-844-1802.