Yesterday, I, along with the rest of the Microsoft Exchange community, was shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of a colleague and friend, Andrew Ehrensing. For those that never...
Published Sep 05, 2014
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I read your post on Andrew Ehrensing's passing, and felt compelled to share my brief, but memorable encounter with Andrew, as it was, sadly, one of his last.
I was on the plane that Mr. Ehrensing was on as a passenger September 3rd. I was one of the crew who came to his assistance. Sadly, all our efforts were not enough, and I was there when Andrew passed.
True to the posts recounting his character that followed your article, he was a jovial, cordial and engaging passenger on our plane, and chose to interact with many of us during the long flight to Sydney. He was not merely a passenger to us. He was a live person,
one we came to know by name and by sight during the long flight. He was the very first person to board our aircraft at Door 1L, and he didn't merely walk on, he had a distinct lilt of someone who was happy to be there and at home in his surroundings. In a
sea of people that a B777 aircraft sometimes appears to be, he stood out as a distinct individual, and by all accounts here, he was regarded much the same in all aspects of his life. For us, his passing was (is) very personal, and I just wanted someone who
knew him -- a friend, a colleague, a family member -- to know this.
My deepest sympathy to those who knew him well, and to his wife and his two small daughters which I just now learned he left behind. In a twist of irony, I too, lost my father when he was only 39 years of age, and as a 7 year old when he passed, it deeply affected
and shaped my life in the years that followed. I hope it comforts them to know Andrew passed in his sleep, a man undoubtedly at peace with all he had accomplished in his life. The accolades he has received here by many for his expertise in the technology industry
is by far overshadowed by the love and respect that is apparent in all who posted here. I may have been the last to shake his hand, but I share that handshake and that smile of his I received while we exchanged greetings onboard our plane with all of you here.
Rest assured, even those who knew him only briefly were as deeply affected by his passing as those who were close to him.
My entire crew send their heartfelt condolences. I hope the knowledge he was amongst those who grew to know him and regard him as more than merely a passenger on the plane where he passed brings comfort to all who knew him well. He will not be forgotten:-(