Andreas Kraemer - 3 December 1958 – 30 December 2024
Andreas was born and grew up in Saxony, Germany. He had a younger brother Peter and also a younger sister. Peter gave a moving tribute during the service. Andreas’s early interests included dinghy sailing and for a number of years he regularly competed in the 420 Class. He was also a keen skier and eventually qualified as an instructor. He skied extensively in Germany and the Alps. He also loved walking in the mountains and countryside when the snow receded, and by contrast also developed a particular affinity with the hills and moors of Ireland.
One of his colleagues from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton spoke similarly. Andreas was hugely respected both for his ability and commitment, never leaving until he was satisfied that all was as in the best order it could be.
He settled in Taunton with his partner Beth and as we all know was then able to purse another interest, gliding, he started flying in January 2012, going solo in September. He was measured and cautious and very safety conscious. He was also one of most modest, polite, caring people one could ever wish to meet and loved every minute airborne, but equally happy to drive the retrieve until someone told him he had to stop.
He passed away aged 66 on 30th December after a short illness. We were fortunate to enjoy his company, we will miss him. - Peter Smith
Rick Andrews - 8 October 1949 – 1 December 2024
There was a large congregation for Rick’s funeral, and the many tributes to him spoke much of a lifetime of dedicated service, most particularly as a military helicopter pilot, and latterly his unstinting work for the local community, which he ably represented as, inter alia, the town’s mayor.
Rick started gliding in March 2013, solo in a glider in July, achieving Bronze and Cross Country endorsement in 2014.
A poignant element of the traditional service was the gathering of Rick’s former colleagues who touchingly delivered a rendition of the Army Air Corp Song.
A reception later took place in the Bradninch Guildhall. - Barbara Fairclough
