Francis "Andy" Andrew Ketterson Jr.

Francis Andrew "Andy" Ketterson Jr., a devoted historian, National Park Service (NPS) leader, world traveler, and lifelong advocate for cultural preservation, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in Texas on February 3, 1937, and growing up in Marietta, Georgia, Andy always said he lived in Texas until he could “reach the counter to buy a ticket out”. Eventually, he landed in Omaha by way of Atlanta, where Georgia State University handed him a BA in History, and the rest is history.

His love of history was evident early on. His first role was as a historic tour guide in Jamestown, Virginia, where he famously gave a tour to the King and Queen of Thailand, among many other visitors that summer. That experience launched a lifelong career dedicated to the preservation, enjoyment, and education of our great national parks.

Andy’s career with the National Park Service spanned decades, and he held key appointments at numerous historic parks including Chickamauga and Chattanooga, TN; Booker T. Washington, Roanoke, VA; Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL; Golden Spike, Brigham City, UT where he was an integral part of the 100th anniversary celebration; Roosevelt-Vanderbilt, Hyde Park, NY where he and his family lived on the Roosevelt estate; Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC where he worked with the Appalachian Consortium landing him honorable mention in two books that were published about the area; and, finally, the Midwest Regional Headquarters in Omaha, NE. His career culminated as Chief of Cultural Resources Management for the Midwest Region, where he was instrumental in overseeing preservation initiatives, mentoring colleagues, and shaping careers that continue to influence the field today.

His work also extended internationally. He contributed to cultural preservation efforts in Poland, Oman, and India, and was even slated to support similar initiatives in Sri Lanka before civil unrest canceled the trip. Andy worked with small teams to help other countries improve and develop their own national park systems, further extending his impact far beyond U.S. borders. In addition to his global work, one of his proudest accomplishments was the preservation of the Truman home in St Louis.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy served in the U.S. Army as a Cryptanalyst, embodying a deep sense of duty to both his country and its history. After leaving the Army, Andy met his wife, Pat, in a history class at Georgia State University. They quickly formed a close bond and were engaged within months of their first date. Together, they owned and operated Kettersons’ Old Market Bookstore for many years, fostering a love of literature and learning in their community.

Andy believed deeply in giving back. He served as President of the Lion’s Club, took communion to shut-ins, wrapped Christmas presents with his daughter for families in need, and sang in the choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for decades. His life was one of exploration, learning, and unwavering dedication to history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evelyn Ketterson; his brother, Tim Ketterson; and his sisters, Lyn Edwards, Mandy Hamilton, Wendy Hill, and Vicky Coots. He was also preceded in death by his beloved granddoggers, Siena, Chipper, and Smoltzy.

Andy is survived by his wife, Pat Ketterson; his children, Andrew Ketterson and Hilary Ketterson; and his grandchildren, Drew Ketterson and Mylie Ketterson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Micky Edwards (Marsha), Laura Earl (Travis), Neil Hamilton (Michelle), Richard Avery (Wendy), Tim Ketterson (Dulce), and Christy Phillips (Jeffrey).

A celebration of Andy’s life will be held in April. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (protectnps.org), the National Park Foundation (nationalparks.org), or a historic preservation organization of your choice in his honor.