Remembering Climber Andy Tyson ’87

Editor’s note: This tribute to the late Andy Tyson ’87, written in support of the Mercersburg Outdoor Education (MOE) program, was authored by Andy’s father, faculty emeritus Dave Tyson, who served at Mercersburg from 1958-98.

At Mercersburg, Andy Tyson ’87 participated in cross country, wrestling, and pole vault. He gravitated to Jim Malone’s relatively new outdoor activity club. A favorite chuckle came one day when Jim excitedly said, “Have you ever seen Andy climb!?” This was directed to Henrietta, Andy’s mom, who had been coaxing Andy down from high places since he was little!

Andy graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, with a degree in physical education and geology. While at Wittenberg, Andy and another kindred spirit started an outdoor club. During his senior year, Andy took a term away for a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which had offices in Lander, WY.

Andy’s work for the next 14 years or so was with two organizations involving outdoor programs and climbing, NOLS and Alpine Ascents, where Andy instructed students in general outdoor living. His work took him to the following mountains (summiting most but not all): Everest, Cho Oyu, Nandi Dev, and Gamlang Razi in the Himalayas; McKinley (now Denali) in Alaska; Aconcagua in Argentina; Vinson Massif in Antarctica; and Mount Blanc in the Alps.

Andy met his wife, Molly, when they were NOLS instructors with the same program. Andy and Molly bought a home near Driggs, ID, on the west side of the Tetons.

Andy’s most significant achievement in climbing took place in 2013 at the very northern tip of Myanmar (Burma), when he led a team to make the first ever ascent of Gamlang Razi (Mount Gamlang).

Andy co-authored two books related to climbing: Illustrated Guide to Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue, written with illustrator Mike Clelland and published by Climbing magazine in 2000, and Climbing Self Rescue, co-authored with Molly and published by Mountaineers Books in 2006.

In 2001, Andy and a friend at NOLS started a business, Creative Energies, and they were joined a year later by another partner from NOLS. Initially they thought to work with solar, wind, water, and geothermal power, but fairly quickly honed in on solar.

In 2015, Andy and two of his workers were flown to a small mountain landing strip in the mountains of Idaho to see how solar power might be effectively installed at a ranch there. When taking off to return, the pilot misjudged the winds, causing the plane to crash into a tree. All four in the plane died in that crash.

To read the full version of this tribute and find additional information about Andy, visit Mercersburg’s magazine web page.

c Former Faculty/ Staff/Friends

Virginia Gay Hair, former alumni office executive secretary, December 14, 2022.

Audrey Joanne Harmon, former staff member (1957-86), December 16, 2022.

Christie Hawbaker, former staff member (1992-2009), December 9, 2022.

Lois Keller, former health center medical secretary (1959-2000), January 8, 2023.

Charles Allen Weeks, former faculty member (1960-79), July 15, 2022.

George “Buff” Weigand Jr., former faculty member (1950-51), January 29, 2023.

David Yeager, former staff member who operated the post office at Mercersburg (1967-2002), January 15, 2023.

Former Staff

Mary Louise (Dolly) Burke-Reidout

Mary Louise (Dolly) Burke-Reidout, a longtime member of the Mercersburg Academy community, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Allentown, PA. Dolly began her career at Mercersburg Academy in September 1965, and remained until her retirement in January 1992. Dolly will be remembered for her invaluable contributions to the school, particularly her assistance with gatherings at the headmaster’s house and her work at the dining hall.

“Louise was a wonderful member of our community in every way,” said faculty member Jim Malone P ’01, ’03. “She was a great resource and a kind listener for many of our students.”

Dolly continued to maintain her connection with Mercersburg, even after her retirement. In 2019, she was awarded a 26-year service recognition award from Mercersburg’s Black Student Union. Her love for reading Amish fiction novels and watching basketball, football, and TV Westerns was well-known among her friends and family. Dolly was a faithful Bethel A.M.E. Church of Mercersburg member for many years. She sang in the choir and was an emeritus trustee board member. She always made herself available to perform services for her church whenever needed.

The daughter of Mary Rebecca (Watson) Burke and John (Pete) E. Burke, Dolly grew up in Mercersburg and graduated from Mercersburg High School. She married Albert Ernest Reidout and had two daughters, Deborah Ann Joyner and Valerie Louise Reidout. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter Deborah, two sisters, and brothers. She is survived by her daughter Valerie, a sister, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cats.

The Community Read has been announced! This summer, students will be reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge!

/MburgAlumni

Members of Community Engagement were busy hanging out with Mayor Michael Pedersen ’95. Their mission was to brighten up the town by planting pansies (and telling Brody he’s a good boy ). #BoardingSchool #MburgFamily

#CommunityEngagement #Mercersburg

@MburgAlumni

Mercersburg Academy’s Black Alumni Association recently held a happy hour that was hosted in multiple cities and then connected through Zoom. In NYC, from left, are Jasen Wright ’99, Vanessa Youngs ’03, Gnim Bazim ’18, and Hope Sanders ’18.

Be sure to check out these Mercersburg Instagram accounts!

@MburgBurgIn

@MburgAthletics

@MburgSAC

@MburgGreenTeam

/Mercersburg1893

@MburgGlobal

@MburgSummer

@LenfestLibrary

From Paint the Numbers to Irving-Marshall Week, Mercersburg has interesting, quirky, and long-standing traditions that set it apart from other schools.