Remembering Andrew Victor (1934-2025)

October 4, 2025, 3:18 AM · It was truly saddening to hear of the passing of long time v.commie member Andrew Victor. He had been a member for more than two decades (since 2007), and during this time his informative and interesting posts were the ones I always made a point of reading, even if I wasn’t that interested in the topic.

Andrew Victor.

He was such a modest and unassuming person that one could read something he said and proceed to the next item before doing a double take and going back to check again what he had let slip about his life or whatever. If you check out his contact information, which I did for the first time while writing this, you can see why.

This is a guy who started playing the violin in 1938 and played it until around 80 when he began to prioritize viola. But then, renaissance man that he was, he also played the cello (!) actively participating in chamber and orchestra for most of his life, 50 years of which he also spent teaching.

I think he is quite simply what v.commie is all about. Somebody whose life was filled with an abundance of music combined with a joyful family life. He was a truly worthwhile person and I hope his family can take some consolation in his passing from knowing how many people around the world will take a moment to mourn him. I know I will.

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Here is the discussion thread in which v.commies are remembering Andy Victor, and here is the thread in which - halfway through - we realized he was no longer participating and also posted remembrances.

Here is his obituary in the Marin Independent Journal.