Chris Andrews – Rocking Big Daddy 1953-2015

2 January 2015

On January 1st one of our most beloved MD Logic representatives and true friend passed away due to an unexpected illness. Born in Texas, Chris relocated to Pensacola Florida in the 1990’s and began selling financial systems to physician and dentists. In 1996, Chris was first introduced to MD Logic. Then in 2000 Chris accepted the position and became an MD Logic sales representative. Over the next fifteen years, Chris participated in MD Logic trade shows throughout the USA. Chris was the guy that never met a stranger and always went out of his way to stay in touch with his customers. He had a passion for life and lived each day to the fullest.

Chris and I became great friends and I participated in many MD Logic trade shows with him. We both enjoyed great concerts (great seats only). I was fortunate enough to attend multiple concerts with Chris over the years. These concerts included Jimmy Buffett in Mobile Alabama, Atlanta Georgia and at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Other great shows include multiple Tom Petty shows in Atlanta, Don Henley at the Fox Theater, Chastain Music Park and in Phoenix Arizona, Elton John in Pensacola Florida, Bob Seger in Atlanta and Gary Allen at the Fox theater in Atlanta Georgia.

One great story I must share about Chris was when I was attending a trade show back in 2005. It was the last day of three day medical trade show in San Francisco and the show ended early. Chris and I took a cab down to the pier to have a few drinks and relax after the trade show. The other MD Logic representatives hung back at the hotel to watch sports on TV. The bar we ended up at was a hole in the wall and the bar tenders were dressed up like they were at the beach. When asked why they were dressed that way the bartender explained that Jimmy Buffett was in town doing a benefit concert tonight at the Fillmore. The concert was sold out but that only encouraged Chris Andrews. After a few drinks we left the bar to head back the hotel. As we stepped out of the bar there was a limo outside with blacked out windows. Chris being Chris walked up and tapped on the driver’s window.  The driver rolled down the window and Chris said “hey man, how about a ride back to the hotel.” Unto my belief the driver said “sure hop in”.

Ten minutes later we arrived back at the hotel. Chris told the limo driver to stay put and that we would be back in 10 minutes. During the ride in the limo Chris convinced me that we should go try and get into the sold out Jimmy Buffett concert at the Fillmore. I told Chris he was nuts but the next thing I knew I was at an ATM machine withdrawing a couple hundred dollars. Chris and I jumped back into the limo and the driver took us over to the Fillmore. When we arrived it was dark and there was no one around. As I stepped out of the Limo it looked like we were in the back of some building with virtually nobody around. I had no idea where we were and had never been to the Fillmore. Chris tipped the limo driver and he drove off. I looked at Chris and was thinking “where the hell are we”? There was a gentlemen standing about 6 foot 5 that looked like a NFL linebacker that simply said “what are yall doing here”. Chris immediately said, “we are here for the Jimmy Buffett concert” and the guy replied “there is no concert here tonight”.

I looked at Chris and you can only image what I said. Chris had noticed that the man had a southern accent and replied “hey man where are you from”? As it turns out the guy was from Mississippi and Chris explained that he was from Pensacola. They immediately traded stories and within minutes the guy said “do you see that window over there”? “Go over to the window and knock on it. Someone will slide the window open. Hand the person $200 dollars each and she will give you a ticket. Once you get the ticket go knock on that door and don’t look back.” We did as instructed and the person at the window handed us 2 tickets that looked like tickets you would get at a local Carnival.  To say I was skeptical was an understatement. After getting the tickets we waived at the big guy and said thanks and then knocked on the back door. It was dark, no one else was around and I was thinking we just gave away $400 cash for nothing.

Moments after knocking on this door it opened and Chris and I were invited inside. We saw several people walking around and then someone asked if they could take our jackets. You see it was very cold outside and warm inside the building. After handing our jackets over we walked around a corner and within a few seconds a man walked out on stage and “yes” it was Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Refer band. It was standing room only and Jimmy rocked the Fillmore for the next two and half hours. What started off as the end of a long trade show ended up as one of those experiences in life that simply can’t be duplicated? This is how Chris Andrews lived his life and it all started when he tapped on the window of the Limousine. This is just one of many great stories about Chris. He earned the title “Rocking Big Daddy”.

It was my honor to know Chris Andrews and to be considered one of his best friends. Chris lived his life like one of his favorite Tom Petty lyrics “you never slow down, you never grow old”.  He was a great friend and will be missed by me everyone at MD Logic. RIP my friend.

Thomas J. Bierster Jr.

Founder and CEO – MD Logic, Inc.