C. Andrew "Andy" Nasburg

C. Andrew Nasburg was born at home in Marshfield, now Coos Bay, Oregon to Claude and Alice Nasburg March 31, 1934. A fact of annual amusement, was he was one day early for April Fool’s day. We often accused his mother of changing the actual day of birth. Dave Nasburg and Barbara Nasburg Jensen were his siblings and are both deceased.

He graduated from Marshfield High School in 1952, and then went off to University of Oregon where he became a lifelong duck fan. In his later years, he enjoyed going into any duck facility and showing off his gear, especially pristine 30 year old Nike tennis shoes. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and remained friends with his compadres until his death. After graduation, he joined the Army for two years, and worked in the supply chain.

He married Lynn Adelsperger August 18, 1957, which lasted 67 years, a testament to commitment to his word and faithfulness. The pair had four children, Kristin Houston, Kathyn Vaughan, and the twins, Scott and Steve Nasburg. He had two in-laws which they referred to as ‘their kids’, Marvin Houston, (Kristin’s husband) and Connie Nasburg (married to Steve). There are four grandchildren, twins Kristopher and Marisa via Kristin, and Cody and Kathyn via Steve. They also inherited another, Marissa, who is Connie’s daughter. Great-grandkids include Addilyn, Christian, Carleigh and Ryker to Cody and Ashley Nasburg, and Jordan, Kason and Maya courtesy of Kristopher and Jamie Houston.

Dad was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Coos Bay. Claude Nasburg, started Nasburg Insurance Company in 1907, and it was sold after his death in 1947. When Andy got out of the military, he bought the business from the current owner and operated it until he retired in 1993, and sold the business to Ed Ellingson. Six months later he confessed, “I’ve never worked so hard in my life being home with your mother!” He promptly went and got his real estate license, which he practiced until 2019, first with Daryl Nelson and Northpoint Real Estate, another 25 years career under his belt. During his working life, he also studied and received a degree in Risk Management, as well as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter degree, CPCU, one of the only ones in Oregon, and was an honorary member of Lloyds of London.

In his off time, he enjoyed doing what he could to help better the community. He was a member and occasional chairman on the East West highway committee starting in 1968, which enacted numerous efforts to improve both Highway 38 and 42. He spent many hours cajoling and visiting with state government leaders to see improvements enacted. He was awarded citizen of the year in 1994 by the Chamber of Commerce. He was the youngest Rotary member when he joined, was a member for decades, a favorite target of ‘fines’ by the membership, and served a stint as President. His favorite project was cleaning up Empire lakes of logs and debris, as well as trash, using large equipment provided by local contractors. And like he always managed to do when duck hunting or steelhead fishing, the project was planned for when the weather was at its worst in the winter, which he enjoyed far too heartily.

Their daughter Kathyn was diagnosed with HIV, and as mom and dad do, decided to go forth with positivity and started the AIDS Resource Fund. He went from schools to community events to ‘give a face’ to the disease, and help spread accurate information to the communities he visited. I remember as a kid opening the door to more than one Senator or Congressman who wanted to visit with dad about Southern Oregon issues, and one day while fishing asked him why he never ran for office. His reply was simple: “Steve, I’d rather be a King maker than a King…. I just like helping people.” That was a personal philosophy he lived by until his death. He also loved to travel, and regardless where we were, in what remote location, or time of day, someone recognized ‘Agent Andy’. If not, he’d have a conversation with anyone, anytime, anywhere, much to our chagrin. Fishing was a passion of his as well, and although a very good fly fisherman, we always took bets as to not IF he fell in, but WHEN. Once while fishing on the Rogue River with a friend, dad was upriver, and suddenly appeared, rod in the air with a fish, and his lifejacket bobbing him down the river. He laughed as he floated by eventually making it to shore somewhere downriver, with the fish. He was, and always will be, a source of constant amusement, admiration and ideally what one would consider a great father as well as friend. He had a good life.

Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018, and passed peacefully holding Lynn’s hand and listening to jazz September 2, 2024. A family graveside inurnment service was held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 12:00 PM in the family plot at Sunset Memorial Park, Coos Bay with Rev. Dr. Patti Hale of Emmanuel Episcopal Church officiating.  Any donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Memorial Fund, PO Box 1028, Coos Bay, OR 97420, or charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131 www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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