Thor H. Andersen

Thor H. Andersen of White Plains, NY, passed away peacefully at Calvary Hospital with his daughter by his side on August 2, 2019.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 18, 1929 and grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with his Norwegian immigrant parents and two older brothers. He graduated Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn Tech) in 1948. He then attended the University of Virginia on a Navy ROTC scholarship, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1952.

After serving on both active duty and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy, he was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. He then volunteered to use his engineering skills in Africa to help build schools in much needed areas of Sudan and Kenya.

Thor later returned to New York City and began a long and distinguished career as a structural engineer. He was a lead
engineer on such projects as the Egyptian Temple of Dendur exhibit room at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the renovation the Central Park Zoo, and the construction of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

Thor was an active member of the White Plains Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years. He served the church as an Elder in the Session, as a Deacon, and as a member on numerous church committees.

Thor was a board member of SHORE (Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility) for many years. He served as President for one term and as First Vice President for numerous terms.

After his retirement from structural engineering in 1994, he increased his community service by enthusiastically volunteering to deliver food to less fortunate people in White Plains as a driver for Meals-on-Wheels and The Lord's Pantry. Among his proudest achievements was being awarded the Jack & Ina Marash Distinguished Service Award in 1999 by the City of White Plains Commission on Human Rights.

In his final years, Thor most enjoyed being with his family, and especially being in the presence of his two young grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harald & Hjordis Andersen, his older brothers Haakon Roy Andersen & Leif Richard Andersen, his sister-in-laws Betty Andersen & Dorothy Andersen, and his nephew Richard Peter Andersen.

He is survived by his wife Heidi B. Andersen, daughter Christine B. Andersen (Jim), son Mark H. Andersen (Tara), and grandchildren Logan P. Andersen and Chelsea M. Andersen, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and other extended family members.

He will always be remembered for his good sense of humor, his story telling, his charity and volunteering on behalf of his fellow human, and his love of his family.

We mourn his loss, but are we extremely grateful for the many years and much love we shared with him.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to S.H.O.R.E. (Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility), P.O. Box 814, White Plains, New York, 10602.

A funeral service for Thor will be held at the White Plains Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM.