Andrew Derocher

Andrew Charles Derocher (Andy) vacated his earthly body and returned to God on February 2, 2025. He was born in Appleton on March 14, 1968 to Peter and Judith (Harstad) Derocher. Andy had a unique life journey, entering this world with a rare, spontaneous, genetic variance that left him severely developmentally delayed. Functioning at a one-year-old level, he required assistance with all daily activities. He never spoke. Despite never graduating school or holding a job, Andy taught and blessed the people around him. Just by being himself, his family and caregivers learned compassion, patience, unconditional love and more. Andy reveled in being outdoors in the sunshine, a reminder to everyone of life’s simple but grand pleasures.

Andy’s older sister and guardian, Laura Derocher, will miss him dearly – his clear blue eyes, wry smile, deep chuckle and sweet countenance. Also surviving Andy are two aunts, two uncles and dozens of cousins. His parents, Pete and Judy, preceded him in death. It’s comforting to imagine them, and other beloved relatives who went before, greeting him as he crossed over.

A celebration of Andy’s life will begin at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton. Visitors are welcome to arrive at any time after 11:00 that morning. For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be livestreamed from this page and recorded for viewing on demand.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the “Derocher Family Charitable Fund” at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, 4455 W Lawrence St., Appleton, WI 54914. Please make your donation via check with the fund name in the memo line, or online at Community Fund for the Fox Valley Region.  This fund, established by Pete and Judy and advised now by Laura, makes grants to local and national 501(c)3 organizations doing good things for humanity. Thank you.

The family wishes to thank anyone who ever cared for Andy, most recently his teams at Clarity Care, Community Care, ThedaCare and Heartland Hospice. Your kindness and service were invaluable and so deeply appreciated. You are angels on Earth.