Memorial
Martin Lowell Andreas (Marty), beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, at age 77 passed away on May 2, 2016 of cancer.
Marty was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 2, 1939 to Albert & Lola Andreas. When he was 2 years old, his father moved the family to Minneapolis, Minnesota. When Marty was in the fifth grade, his father moved the family to Miami, Florida.
Albert and Lola raised Marty with high expectations and he delivered throughout his life. Marty attended The Blake School in Minneapolis, Miami Country Day School, and Graham-Ecke’s Boarding School in Palm Beach. At the University of Miami, Marty studied Psychology which he often said “served him well throughout his life.” Immediately after college, Marty began working for the family-owned Andreas Corporation.
In 1970, Marty and his father bought controlling interest in Corn Sweeteners in Cedar Rapids. And thus, Marty began his new career as Executive Vice-President of Corn Sweeteners. In 1973, he and his father sold the company to the Archer Daniels Midland Corporation (ADM). From 1975-1986, Marty served as the President of ADM’s Corn Division. From 1987 until his retirement in 2005, Marty held many senior executive positions within ADM from corporate marketing to government affairs. After retiring, he spent another year as a consultant to the company in the areas of energy and government affairs.
Former Chairman & CEO of ADM, Allen Andreas recently stated, “Marty Andreas was a key executive in the management of ADM for 35 years. He was an effective leader and a committed advocate for American agriculture. By forging essential relationships for the agricultural industry with both farmers and consumers, Marty drove innovation with the creation of new products and pioneered the development of nutritious foods and clean, renewable sources of energy. His eternal optimism and boundless energy was always focused upon the ability of the farm community to provide the foundation for a better quality of life for all. Marty will be missed by many, but he leaves a significant legacy of an improved world for future generations.”
Marty played a major role in the development of 55% high fructose corn syrup, which replaced sugar in the U.S. soft drinks industry. He was also instrumental in ADM’s pioneering development of fuel ethanol starting in 1978.
Audrae Erickson, former President of the Corn Refiners Association said, “Martin Andreas was an inspiration and mentor to many. He helped pioneer two leading advancements in the history of the corn industry – fuel ethanol and corn sweeteners. His ingenuity and impeccable sense for business opportunities resulted in unprecedented returns for corn farmers and processors. He made an indelible mark on history and will be remembered as a statesman of American agriculture.”
Bob Dineen, President & CEO, Renewable Fuels Association said, “Marty was there in the beginning when President Jimmy Carter gathered agribusiness together to challenge them to produce a domestic renewable fuel in the midst of the oil crisis in the 1970s … Andreas was one of the giants of the U.S. ethanol industry, and it is without hyperbole or exaggeration that I say the industry would not be the success it is today without Marty’s vision, commitment and advocacy.” Marty’s role in renewable energy was one of his proudest accomplishments.
In retirement, Marty ran his family’s stock investment business with his two sons; dedicated himself to two of his favorite lifetime hobbies, gardening and photography, and concentrated his efforts on giving back to his community through organizations he felt were making a difference. Marty was an advocate of communications and new technology. One of his favorite gifts to schools and non-profit organizations were funds for new computer equipment and software. He genuinely cared about making the world a better place from renewable fuels to the environment to investing in programs and organizations that developed leaders and helped people.
Marty Andreas served on the boards of Mount Mercy University, Trees Forever, Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the Silos & Smokestacks Foundation Board.
President Laurie Hamen of Mount Mercy University said, “Marty served on Mount Mercy’s Board of Trustees for 40 years with distinction – particularly as it related to his great passion for the University’s finances and investments. He was totally engaged in his work as a trustee and wanted to make sure Mount Mercy was better tomorrow than it was yesterday.”
Dan Kelley, Chairman of IALF said, “Marty Andreas was a man of many interests and he pursued all of them with great passion. Among those interests was developing the next generation of leaders for agriculture. The commitment of his time, treasure and talent to the Illinois Agriculture Leadership Foundation, as a member of the board and through his endowment of the ‘Energy Seminar,’ is among the many legacies Marty leaves that will benefit American agriculture for generations.”
Shannon Ramsay, Founder & President, Trees Forever said, “Marty served on the Trees Forever board for 15 years and was instrumental in helping to establish our major agricultural programs. He was a visionary and a great coach.”
Don Short, retired President of Silos and Smokestacks said, “Marty was a founding member of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area Foundation and served as Vice-Chairman since its inception. He was the primary funder for the Silos and Smokestacks Annual Photo Contest that quickly gained national recognition for agricultural landscape photos. Marty’s energetic approach made positive things happen.”
In Cedar Rapids, Marty also worked with Tanager Place, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers & Sisters, Catherine McCauley Center, Indian Creek Nature Center, Solon Dollars for Scholars, Matthew 25, and many other non-profits in the area. Marty was also a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club and the Downtown Rotary. Marty received numerous awards throughout his lifetime from commodity groups and industry, his service on boards, and his philanthropic endeavors.
In Highlands, North Carolina, where Marty maintained a family cabin, he was the impetus in starting the annual Dahlia Festival. In Miami, Marty worked with the Church by the Sea and Miami Country Day School.
Marty was a man of vision, an icon, a leader, a communicator, an enthusiast, a mentor to many and a generous soul. He loved life and lived every day to the fullest. He was famous for his gift bags and his special pens “that only write down good ideas!” Marty was a rare man as comfortable with world leaders and presidents as he was with farmers, family, and friends. He was a true gentleman and a good man.
Throughout his life, Marty was always physically fit and naturally adventurous. He loved the thrill of speed and the challenge of mastering water skiing, snow skiing, sailing, and ice boating. He was also an avid sportsman and enjoyed lifelong passions for fishing and bird hunting in Canada.
On a more personal note, Marty loved his family deeply and delighted in the many accomplishments of all of his family members. Marty and his first wife, Lidge, were married for 30 years and raised four children together. Marty and his second wife, Brenda, were married for 10 years. Their life together included her two children, Tori and Tige. Marty and his third wife, Leesa, shared the last 11 wonderful years together.
The world will miss Marty Andreas. For those fortunate enough to have known him, his mighty spirit will live on within our hearts and minds.
Martin Andreas is survived by his wife, Leesa Andreas of Iowa; his children, Debbie Andreas of Iowa; Lisa Sutton of Florida; Marty (Liz) Andreas, Jr., and Jon (Patricia) Andreas of South Carolina; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; his only sister, B.J. Andreas of Florida and his nieces; Grace (Jimmy) Hutson of Florida and Mary Fanaro of California; his uncle Dwayne Andreas, plus many cousins and extended relatives.
Martin Andreas was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lola Andreas, both who passed in 1988; and his first wife, Lidge Andreas, who passed in 1999.
A Celebration of Life honoring Marty Andreas will be held:
Date: June 24, 2016
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Cedar Rapids Country Club
550 27th St. Dr. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Memorials can be made in honor of Marty Andreas to the following organizations:
Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation - Martin L. Andreas Energy Seminar
402 N Hershey Road, Bloomington, IL 61704
Tanager Place, 2309 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Trees Forever, 770 7th Ave., Marion, IA 52302
Solon Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 551, Solon, IA 52333-0551
Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233