Andrew Ray Schofield, 66, of Traverse City, died Sunday, Aug 14, 2022, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City surrounded by family. Andy was the youngest of four sons of Raymond D. Schofield and Rose Mary Schofield, formerly of Farwell and Clare Michigan, respectively.  Rose Mary passed in 2000 in Ludington, and Raymond passed in Traverse City in 2013.

Surviving Andrew are his wife of 30 years, Margaret R. Schofield of Traverse City MI, son John P. Schofield (Genevere) of San Jose CA, and daughter Rachel B. Juen (Joel), of White Bear Lake MN, and two grandchildren: Cyrus and Lina Juen. Andrew's surviving brothers are Robert A. Schofield (Deborah) of Melbourne FL, Randy R. Schofield of Ludington MI, and John R. Schofield (Sharon, d. 2020) of Lansing MI. He also leaves behind numerous nieces & nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, extended family, and many dear friends.

Andy started grade school in Gaylord, Michigan, and graduated from East Lansing High School in 1974.  His father, Raymond D. Schofield, was a wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources and Andy moved with his father's job assignments, including Wildlife District Supervisor, Gaylord to the Straits of Mackinaw. Raymond finally retired as Acting Director, Wildlife Division, state DNR Headquarters, Lansing.

Andy attended Ferris College in Big Rapids, MI and was in the first ever co-ed class of Suomi College in Houghton, MI (now part of Finlandia University).

He served a four-year enlistment as a Machinist Mate in the United States Navy (Mar 1976 - Mar 1980), going through the Great Lakes Naval Training facility, and served on board the USS Truett (FF-1095), a Knox -class frigate, through most of his naval career. Andy's highest rank was second class petty officer, with an honorable discharge.

On Feb 2, 1978, Truett transited the Suez Canal and operated with the Middle East Force in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Ethiopian/Somalian crisis. Her operations there included a 56-day, continuous at-sea period. Returning to the Mediterranean in April, Truett arrived back in Norfolk on April 25th. The summer was spent conducting operations off the east coast, and the Truett then proceeded to Braswell Shipyard, Boston, for major overhaul which commenced on September 27th. The ship remained there into 1979.

Using his naval machinery skills, Andy obtained certification as a registered boiler engineer, and went to work for the State of Michigan as a facilities and boiler engineer, first at the state prison in Pontiac, then the Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital, and later at Camp Pugsley Correctional Facility.

Andy loved sailing and would take his family out on the water every summer. Upon his retirement from Michigan state employment, Andy obtained his US Coast Guard 100-ton commercial ship captain's license, endorsed for sailing vessels. He spent nearly 30 years as a volunteer and member of the Maritime Heritage Alliance (MHA), a local non-profit that helps "preserve, interpret, share and promote the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes."  Andy captained the Madeline (a historic reproduction of an 1840s Great Lakes schooner), the Champion , Arcturos , and Gracie L . Andy was also occasional shipmaster of the armed Sloop Welcome , another historic reproduction.  Besides sailing he spent thousands of volunteer hours maintaining and restoring the MHA's vessels. He especially enjoyed mentoring new crew members and youth participants in MHA's programming. He touched many lives over the years and built lasting friendships.

On land, Andy was a prolific inventor and tinkerer. He traveled several times to meet with some of the leading researchers of U.S. gasification technology and biomass energy. Gasification was originally developed during WWII fossil fuel shortages to use combustible wood gas to power engines. Andy engineered a series of gasifiers through the years, often needing to mill custom parts himself. He designed and custom manufactured a woodgas carburetor for All Power Labs in California. For his own use, he converted an old Jeep engine to run on cherry pits and a pickup truck to run on woodchips. He and his brother put together a portable 40KW generating set that ran on wood chips for remote water pumping for gravel pits, etc. and designed and built a woodchipper that was frighteningly efficient. Andy invented an evaporative gasoline carburetor that gave his Mercury Cougar a 40 miles per gallon fuel rate! He also built his own motorcycle, an entire powerboat from an empty fiberglass hull (designed by his brother Rob), a house for his family in Cedar, and he had many other projects that are too numerous to mention. He also loved sitting at the breakfast table drawing diagrams and explaining the basics of internal combustion engines to his children.

Andy was a devoted family man. He welcomed son-in-law Joel to the family upon Joel's marriage to Rachel, and loved being a grandpa to his two grandchildren, Cyrus and Lina. He was eagerly looking forward to his son John's wedding to Genevere this past weekend, and was greatly disappointed that he would not be able to see their future children.

Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 27, 2022, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in Traverse City, with the Reverend Innocent Zambua celebrant.  A luncheon will follow at the church with interment following in Oakwood Catholic Cemetery in Traverse City.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maritime Heritage Alliance in honor of Andy.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com