As we reported on Thursday, the search for Walter Koenig’s son Andrew came to a tragic end, when he was found dead in a park in Vancouver, Canada, from an apparent suicide. The Koenig family have asked us to let fans know how much they appreciate the outpouring of affection from the fans, and and to let people know they would prefer donations to Andrew’s favorite charities in lieu of cards and flowers. Details below plus some videos of Andrew and Walter.
Remembering Andrew Koenig
Walter Koenig’s official site has been updated with a tribute to his late son, that reads in part:
Andrew’s disappearance caused a worldwide campaign of support and search efforts by those who were lucky to be his friends and by those whose lives he touched. A beautiful human being, Andrew died in his favorite city, filled with friends, in a park he loved
In lieu of flowers or cards, Walter and Judy would prefer that donations, of any size, be made to one the causes most important to Andrew. The three they suggest to choose from are:
- The US Campaign for Burma (uscampaignforburma.org)
- Heal the Bay (healthebay.org)
- Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services (vistadelmar.org)
You can also send your condolences via the forum on Walter’s site at walterkoenigsite.com. The family will be creating a memory book from the messages.
Andrew Koenig 1968-2010
Walter and Andrew videos
Walter and Andrew at Weekend of Horrors con in 1986 (thanks Vernon Wilmer)
Walter and Andrew on "The Young Turks" in 2007 talking about USA campaign for Burma
More:
Thanks for posting these videos…
Andrew Koenig’s tragic death has reminded me (too much) of other people I’ve lost for similar reasons. No one should ever brush off the signs of depression in someone they care about.
This is a wonderful tribute, and possibly the best way to remember someone as politically active — among other ways — as Andrew Koenig.
Thank you, TM staff!
Love is the strongest force in the world. Embrace it in the memory of those who are no longer with us except in our hearts.
I was able to watch Walter and his wife speak about the death of their son at work on TV, it really touched me. I know that Walter asked that folks contribute to the causes that his son was involved in, but my thoughts lay elsewhere. I dont want to assume, but from this action I will guess (and I would say its a very good guess) that he felt very alone. This bothers me, because, if that is the case, he was believing a lie. Many people were worried and hoping him health and happiness as we see. We all have felt “down” at times in life Im sure, but always remember that there IS someone or people who care and want to help any way they can. There is hope for someone who thinks “its all over” or Im no good” ect ect….. I truly know we are all special beings and can help each other out in life instead of fighting each other, or just checking out because of despair.
It is with great sadness that such a staunch Free Burma friend has been lost.
“I can say with truth that amid grief and wretchedness death is a relief from woes, not a punishment; that it puts an end to all mortal ills and leaves no room either for sorrow or for joy.” (Julius Caesar)
R.I.P.
RIP, Andrew.
Peace to the Koenig family in this most difficult of times.
@ #6:
Great quote. I think that’s probably what Andrew was thinking. I’m so sorry he felt it was necessary to take his own life, but I hope we can take comfort in the thought that he’s not suffering anymore.
As someone who is constantly battling depression…I can tell you…there are times that the void of death does look absolutely enticing. Even when you have folks that care about you at your side…you do feel like you’re going against the world…or even the universe. And when you reach for things you expect to bring you hope…you just get more disappointment…because they aren’t meeting your standards.
It’s a difficult struggle…it’s almost like being permanetly trapped in puberty…except you don’t have a “growing out of it” to look forward to.
I am sure many of us could slip into depression too easily–most of us have problems of some kind-we are human–i got fired last april cuz i couldnt sell as much over the phone when the economy got worse-3 years before that i was considered a good employee–then in oct for my birthday my diabetes got worse so after years just on pills i now have to take insulin injections n i hate needles-plus being 54 i have barely gotten a job interview or any intereest at all–my unemployment will be up in a month or two etc–i thank the new trek movie n anthonys great web site as the main things that have kept my spirit up–Andrew was still young–way better looking n loved by his family n friends than many of us feel we are-yet he knew he had friends n he visited them in vancouver before he ended his life plus he loved stanley park where he died as well-that makes me think he knew he was loved n he still was also loving-i hope i can keep doing both in the future-i guess i dont understand his reasoning to end his life but it was an illness-not his fault- i will remember andrew n the love many had for him n smile for the love he had n wish i maybe had a lil bit more of that too like he did–he was someone whose life made a difference to many also something more of us wish we had–as our struggles continue–
Condolences to the Koenig family.
Any death in a family is hard to take, but I know suicide is even more difficult to understand.
I met Walter Koenig at in Toronto in 2004 at Toronto Trek 18 shortly after my return from Afghanistan. He talked very warmly about his family and it was apparent that they meant to so much to him. My deepest sympathies to the Koenig Family during this extremely tough time and I wish them strength to continue on.
It’s never easy to lose a loved one. My heart goes out to Walter and his family.
When I lose someone, there’s a poem I like to read which always makes me feel a bit better.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Don’t try to understand; just remember the love.
Peace to all.
Burying a son… gut wrenching even to hear the words. I pray the Koenigs find the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Humbly,
C.S. Lewis
Condolences to the ones left behind.
And rest in peace, Andrew.
More sad news, Marie Osmonds son has also commited suicide. Please people, if you suffer from depression, try and get some help. There is another way to deal with it.
The best often go first… All I have seen of Andrew Koenig tells me that he was a gentle and warm-hearted guy. The same goes for his father. Kindness is a trait that often goes unappreciated in this world.
After what I’ve seen I feel certain that he knew how much love his family felt for him, but as Walter said, sometimes that’s not enough. Maybe it was because of a disappointment over his acting career, or the lack of a romantic relationship in his life. We can only speculate but everyone has his reasons. I also suspect that saying goodbye would have been to heart-aching for him and that’s why he handled it the way he did.
Regardless, the world has lost a kind soul that made good contribution to this world. His family has lost a son and a brother that they loved.
My way of tribute, was to watch his DS9 appearance the night of when his passing was announced. Had only seen it once and not for a long time – a pretty good episode.
Great Joker portrayl. Condolences to the family.
As a man of only 28 years of age with a grade four brain cancer who has been predicted to only live 2 to 4 more years in my condition, I guess I should be one of those people who should be highly likely to fall into depression and possibly commit suicide. Yet I haven’t…
What is it that has separated my state of mind when I’ve been given a virtual death sentence, from that of someone’s like Andrew’s who was physically perfectly healthy and was doing relatively well in his career compared to others who struggle most of their lives to just get their foot in the door?
Is it faith? I don’t know. I have a strong faith in God and his plan. I don’t know if Andrew had a strong faith in anything in particular. I know we both had a strong circle of family and friends supporting us. Did Andrew just not see how much love surrounded him?
Was it his preoccupation with international causes that as hard as he was able to try, there was little impact he would be able to make? I don’t mean to demean the cause, but my wife is constantly getting stressed out about things happening that are clearly beyond her control and I wonder if this may have added to Andrew’s depression?
Either way, I just hope I’m lucky enough to see my 41st year, and from my point of view every day is literally a gift. And it pains me to see Andrew throw his gift away, I know he may have been in some form of mental torture, but just watching Walter you can see how desperately he wants to have his son back and how tightly he wants to hug his son again.
Peace and love be with you, Walter and family.
And Andrew, may the Lord guide you on your next step of the Human Adventure…
My prayers and my love go with the koenig family. My church has you all onthe prayer list. Andrew is haPpy now
The Koenig’s seem like such fine people… This is truly a tragedy. My thoughts continue to be with them.
On behalf of my family and my extended Star Trek Family to the Koenig Family I offer my condolences to the loss of your son Andrew Koenig.
I lost two friends of mine in 2008 Becky Levy a friend from Stanbridge Academy in Palo Alto, CA at the time and David Hahn in Mid-September in that same year. Becky was only 29 at the time of her death and David Hahn passed away at 35 just days shy of his 36th Birthday at the time of his passing. He died of Williams Syndrome. I can imagine what the Koenig Family is going through just like the Hahn and the Levy Familes went through not that long ago.
May God and the Prophets comfort you during this difficult time,
A Star Trek Fan of 22 Years,
Andrew
aka. (7 of 9A on Twitter)
For almost my whole life of 4 decades, I have not known anyone who has had someone commit suicide, and then in the matter of the past 18 months I have known 3 families who have lost someone, 2 of which have been in the last 2 months. I don’t know the Koenigs, but watching Walter all these years makes this feel like the fourth.
It is such a selfish act that lays waste in the people that are left behind. With Andrew, it seems like they may know some seeds of depression, but with one friend who at the beginning of February he lost a 40+ year old child, who left kids behind, and then a friend of my dads just after Christmas at 59 killed himself – both of them showed no signs and have left their families confused about motive as well as so angry and sad.
Either of the people whom I know probably would never do it again if they know what pain they have left behind; I doubt if Andrew ever would if he could watch his dad here. If anyone is thinking of this – seek help. And if anyone sees any of the signs Walter listed, also seek help. It is better to err on the side of caution than to have this tragedy play out.
I don’t think we the living could truly understand the pain someone like Andrew felt. When these things happen, I always think how I cannot even imagine ever feeling so depressed that suicide is the best option. Nor can I imagine the insurmountable pain felt by a parent whose child commits suicide. I’m not worthy to judge him or his actions. Instead,
I offer my prayers for Andrew and his family.