By Joyce Scanlan

Andy Virden, one of our longtime and very active members of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, was on his way home from a Friday night fish fry shortly after 8:00 on March 11, when he was struck by a car and killed instantly. Details of the accident are still under investigation. Andy was 83 years old.

Those of us who have known Andy for more than 40 years are deeply saddened at the loss of our much-valued colleague and friend. Andy always traveled with his long white cane and frequently spoke of the importance of exercising care as he crossed streets. He was in familiar territory within one-half block of his home. He had walked the two-block route from the American Legion Hall fish fry numerous times.

Andy Virden has been a member of the Federation since 1951 and was instrumental in organizing the Central Minnesota chapter in 1971. Since that time, he served as chapter president for most of the time; however, throughout these years, he was always looking for others to take the office, and many young students from surrounding colleges and others who demonstrated interest received his encouragement and support in serving as president or in other leadership roles. While others served as chapter president from time to time, Andy was always the voice of the Federation throughout the St. Cloud/Waite Park/Central Minnesota area. He was active in numerous organizations and his voice was heard over local radio stations advocating for the rights of blind people of all ages and interests.

Our Central Minnesota chapter has always been a vibrant group with its spaghetti dinners and other fundraisers, annual picnics every August, and energetic participation in every Day at the Capital during legislative sessions. Someone else may have occasionally served as president and leader, but the spokesman and contact person was definitely Andy Virden.

The National Federation of the Blind was Andy’s primary interest in life. He was active in local politics and an active member of the Democratic Farmer Labor party. Because of his activities, all elected politicians knew Andy and the National Federation of the Blind. But Andy wasn’t at all partisan; he could support elected officials of other parties as well. He made friends with officials of any party, and rest assured, all of them were well informed about the Federation and all issues of the day. With very few exceptions, all legislators of the St. Cloud area could be counted upon to have knowledge of Federation concerns; and most of them were in support of our interests.

Of course, Andy preferred that we hold all state Federation conventions in St. Cloud and spoke out persuasively of the advantages of his hometown. He clearly demonstrated his pride in his local area as he welcomed convention attendees to St. Cloud. His participation at convention sessions was always energetic and determined; it might appear as though he was bypassing the chair’s wish for order and making himself and his issues take precedence over the planned agenda. This was definitely not the case. His issues were always timely and relevant, just slightly out of order or ahead of the agenda. They were definitely matters Andy felt strongly about. There were just so many matters Andy placed at the top of his priority list, and he could be persistent.

Andy could tell jokes and sometimes unwittingly turn a crowd or an individual from a serious discussion into uproarious laughter. He and I were scheduled to do an interview at a local radio station one day. Andy, of course, worked at the downtown Post Office. He said to the hostess, “Oh, I almost called you this morning; we had an emergency at the post office.” The interviewer became excited and said, “Oh, you should have called me.” Then Andy said, “There was a big fight, and the stamps took quite a licking.” Another such event occurred several years ago when we were holding a seminar in our state office in the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Building. A very serious discussion was underway when Andy suddenly sneezed and his dentures flew across the room. No one remembers the topic under discussion; everyone remembers Andy’s sneeze and its outcome. Humor was a trademark with Andy.

Yes, Andy had quite a sense of humor; however when it came to advocacy for blind people, he was the guy you wanted on your side. As a committed Federationist, Andy took seriously the responsibility of working to change public attitudes toward blindness. He fought hard to emphasize the capabilities of blind people and to improve opportunities for employment and equal participation in the community for blind Americans. He proudly lived his Federationism and never hesitated to educate everyone he met. He used a wide variety of techniques in addition to humor, his own experience, threats, anecdotes, whatever it took to make his point. Andy was a true educator, and he earned both love and respect for his work.

Life in the St. Cloud community was a significant part of Andy Virden’s life. He was a 1946 graduate of St. Cloud Technical High School and a 1950 graduate of St. Cloud State University. Andy was employed in sales for four years prior to owning and operating Virden's Vending and Concession headquartered in the downtown St. Cloud Post Office lobby and was operated under the State of Minnesota Business Enterprises Program for the Blind. Here he thoroughly enjoyed his daily contact with the public, selling his products and persuading the local citizenry. He retired on January 10, 1994.

Andy was deeply involved in the community, and was a living example of our NFB goal of integrating into society on a basis of equality. Here are his other activities:

• Fraternal Order of Eagles,
• Waite Park Booster Club, serving as president,
• Waite Park Spass Tag Committee, serving as president and various other offices, and Grand Marshall in 1981,
• DFL politics, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Dinner in St. Cloud in 2009,
• Wings, Wheels and Water Festival, serving as Grand Marshall in 1986,
• Knights of Columbus, serving in various offices,
• Kappa Delta Phi at St. Cloud State University,
• St. Joseph's Catholic Church, serving in the Nocturnal Adoration Society and the Choir,
• Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus,
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, serving on the board for six years,
• Whitney Senior Center, enjoying participation in many of its educational programs.

Life for blind people in Central Minnesota and throughout the country is certainly better for Andy’s involvement in his community.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve probably had more telephone conversations with Andy than with any other Federationist. “How are you, Andy?” I’d say. “Well, we have problems,” he’d reply. Then he’d list off all the “problems.” Someone wasn’t returning his calls. He was worried about the construction in downtown St. Cloud; he was worried about walking on downtown streets with the loud machines. “And it looks as though they’re going to change the traffic patterns on the main streets, and blind people will have problems crossing the streets,” and on and on. After we had talked for several minutes, and Andy had asked me about everything in the Metro area — had I talked with so-and-so? What was going on in Minneapolis? Then I’d make some meager attempt to resolve his problems, he’d seem to have moved on, and the problems no longer were relevant. If I was not home and had to call him back later, he was usually not home or his line was busy, because he was on NFB-NEWSLINE®. Andy’s problems could be rather frustrating. But I came to realize that he wanted to visit with someone and the problems gave him reason to call. He was so committed to doing what was right for blind people that I came to appreciate our discussions and admire his perseverance in dealing with the public and with the problems blind people faced. Andy was busy dealing with problems, and it was a pleasure to work with him. He had a big, big heart, and it always focused on the appropriate burning issues.

Federation philosophy was more than just talk for Andy. In addition to operating his vending business for more than forty years, he cared for his aging parents keeping house and managing the family home until both parents had passed away. He then sold the house in which he had grown up and moved to an apartment where he lived independently to the day of his death. He did his own cooking and cleaning and kept the apartment managers from custodializing him and trying to tell him how to run his life. Andy would have it no other way. His participation in community activities continued at his usual pace. All of us declare that blind people are capable of running their own lives; Andy made it all a proven fact.

Andy loved attending national conventions. He was an active member of the Blind Merchants division and served for several years on the Resolutions Committee. He loved seeing his Federation family each year; wherever you might go throughout convention sessions, in the restaurants, at the Merchants’ meetings, anywhere at all, you could hear Andy Virden voicing his opinions on something important to him, greeting members, telling a joke, or laughing at someone else’s joke. National Conventions were very special to Andy.

In more recent times, as he began arranging to travel to the convention, he would say, “This will probably be my last convention.” Each year as he aged, travel became a greater challenge for him; yet he continued to make the journey. Then he would go to the next convention and have a wonderful time. As he prepared to go the following year, he’d declare again, “Well, this will probably be my last National Convention.” I actually heard him say it this year as he began arranging to fly to Florida. His Federation spirit again told him to look ahead.

Large numbers of Andy’s friends, including many members of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, attended both his Wake and Funeral Mass last week. Six priests attended. The music led by the choir was outstanding. It was clear that everyone knew Andy well. While we know that Andy had selected the music and speakers for his service, he would have loved it. The National Federation of the Blind was specifically mentioned many times, always absolutely correctly — always with the appropriate “of.” Andy had obviously done his usual fine job of educating. The entire service was a great tribute to Andy. Although this was a Friday in Lent and fish should have been the only choice of the day, the priest announced that this was a special day and therefore a dispensation had been granted and the customary ham would be served at the dinner following the mass.

Andy was born in Waite Park on November 19, 1927, lived his entire life in Waite Park, and was buried in Waite Park. His influence, however, extended far beyond his hometown. His legacy can be bourn out by comments many friends made following his death. Here are just a few:

• Greg James, Neighbor: I’ve lived in the same neighborhood as Andy for over 20 years. Over the years, I had the opportunity to chat with Andy at the store, or on one of Andy’s walks through the neighborhood. I knew Andy as a warm and friendly man. I always enjoyed the chats we shared. Andy was a fixture in the neighborhood and seeing Andy’s familiar face on one of his walks was common. Although I didn’t know Andy as well as many others, I feel my life is richer for having known him at all. The neighborhood definitely won‘t be the same without Andy.
• Larry Haws, Friend (and former legislator): Larry Haws is sending this message from St. Ben's ShortStay where he is recovering from brain surgery in January. One of Andy's most significant contributions to the people he served was his attitude, and to put a person's "abilities" first. Andy taught many people about this, but Larry learned this many times from Andy's example of courage and determination. One day when Larry was working at the State Capital, Andy walked into his office alone, white cane in hand. Larry was surprised and amazed that Andy had navigated his way to his office in the capital building. Andy said that it wasn't really that hard and that he only had to yell out a couple of times, "Where's Haws at?” Andy was a brilliant man. Larry said that Andy called him once about a problem he had and what experts Larry knew who could solve that problem for him. Andy asked if Larry would call those experts and get the problem solved. Larry asked for an hour and gave the designated "experts" a call and there was a solution found. The St. Cloud/Waite Park community has lost a wonderful human being in Andy Virden. He was a true example of looking at what you can do in life and then pursuing it. Happy Heaven, Andy! I'm sure that you're finding your way around with Heavenly vision!
• Mary Dombovy Pull, Neighbor: As a young girl and into my adult life, Andy always knew my name and spoke to me. He was a true friend and gentleman. Heaven will be blessed to have Andy among the other saints.
• Michael Petschen, just a person Andy touched just by talking to him over the years: What an inspiration Andy was. He was the most courageous person I knew. St. Cloud has lost an icon. But heaven has gained a saint.
• Dave, Friend: We miss your presence at the post office; you were such a staple fixture in the community, and always a pleasure to chat with.

We all have countless fond memories of times spent with Andy. Everyone will miss Andy. He is irreplaceable. To say, “Rest in peace,” is pointless, because Andy will always be educating, advocating, changing attitudes, promoting progress, making new friends, and continuing in Heaven among the Saints the work he has always done when he was with us. And, Andy, keep on singing!