Andrew Plitkins

Andrew Plitkins of Freeland passed away suddenly June 4, 2016.

Andy was born in Riga, Latvia, on April 20, 1941. He was the beloved middle son of Michails and Ella Plitkins, who immigrated to Tacoma in 1950 after being displaced by World War II.

Andy earned his electrical engineering degree from Washington State University and married his college sweetheart, Linda Kramer Plitkins, on June 15, 1963. They would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this month.

Andy went on to earn his masters of engineering degree from New York University and enjoyed a fascinating career working for Bell Laboratories, which at the time was considered one of the most innovative companies in the world. There he worked tirelessly developing, inventing and building technologies which took this country into the future. Andy later worked for Lucent Technologies where he and his team were awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1992.

Andy will be remembered for his quick, creative and systematic thinking, as well as his sense of humor and hilarious antics. He was known to disassemble just about anything to see how it worked, and brand new cars were no exception. Andy’s love of technology was balanced by his love of the outdoors, hiking, fishing, sports cars and, above all else, his family. Andy had a huge heart and tremendous compassion for others. Throughout his lifetime he devoted so much time and energy to service in his community and volunteer work for others.

Andy is survived by his wife Linda Kramer Plitkins and their daughters, Demi Plitkins of Boston, Mass., and Shari and husband Douglas Bullen of Rollinsford, N.H.; his brother Alex and wife Sachiko; and his brother Peter; his brothers-in-law, Jeff and wife Sue Kramer and Dana Kramer and wife Katherine Leask; his nieces and nephews, Michael Plitkins, Daina Denning Plitkins, Andrew, Alex, Lauren and Kris Plitkins; and grandchildren, Jacob and Anthony Leather and Gavan Bullen. He also leaves behind wonderful friends, his students at South Whidbey High School, as well as the entire Trinity Lutheran Church community. Andy’s death leaves a hole in the hearts of many. He will be dearly missed but also fondly remembered.

Services to remember and honor Andy’s life will be held Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 WA-525, Freeland, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland or the charity of your choice.