Andrew John Plagens

Andrew John Plagens (31) passed away peacefully with his loved ones at his side on September 20, 2023 in Longmont, Colorado after a courageous and hard-fought battle against colorectal cancer. Andrew was born on July 6, 1992 in Dearborn Michigan to Anne Marie L. West Plagens and Glenn Andrew Plagens.

Andrew grew up in Canton, Michigan and graduated from Canton High School in 2010. He moved to Colorado in 2011 along with his parents and sisters to enjoy an active Colorado lifestyle, the mountains, and to take advantage of new opportunities.

Andrew lived in Gunnison, Colorado and attended Western Colorado University. While majoring in History and Political Science, he was also able to immerse himself not only in his wide history book collection, but also in the mountains surrounding him. He also made multiple lifelong friends in his time there. While in college, he was part of a worldwide team that climbed Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France for the purpose of raising funds on behalf of Insulin For Life, a charity that provides diabetes supplies and education to people in developing countries.

After school, he moved to Estes Park to work as a mountain guide. He then had a job opportunity in Ouray and stayed in the Ouray/Ridgway area for multiple years, working as a mountain guide and avalanche educator, and obtaining AMGA certifications. During this time, he was able to guide and teach across the mountains of Colorado, as well as throughout the Western US, including the Tetons and Alaska.

Andrew and his girlfriend, Liz, were roommates and friends throughout 2021 and started dating right before his cancer diagnosis. Andrew returned to the Front Range with Liz in 2022 to start cancer treatment and to be close to his family for support during this extremely challenging time. He loved the mountains and was planning on returning to them one day.

Andrew was an inspiration and friend to so many. He loved to teach people how to enjoy the outdoors as he did. One of his favorite sayings was, “The best skier or climber on the mountain is the one with the biggest smile on their face.” More often than not, it was him wearing that smile!

Andrew is survived by his parents, Glenn and Anne Plagens, sisters Samantha Plagens, Jennifer Plagens Ward and her husband Shane Ward, grandparents John and Patricia West, Ralph and Donna Plagens, girlfriend Elizabeth Schwab, beloved extended family, and many close friends, including two of his best friends, Mason Stansfield and Aaron Livingston, who both preceded him in death.

Donations may be made in memory of Andrew to Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation Colorado (rayofhopecolorado.org). It is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to respond to the urgent needs of Coloradans with cancer by providing financial assistance with dignity and humanity.

We believe Andrew would be in full support of donations in his memory going to this organization. Grateful for what he had, he often would ask, “What do other cancer patients do when they don’t have a supportive family or a family that can afford to help like I have? It would be about impossible for people to go through cancer treatment otherwise.”

Here is the link to his donation page: https://rayofhopecolorado.org/inhonorofandrew/

Please join Andrew’s family and friends to celebrate Andrew. He wanted everyone to have a good time, tell stories, listen to music and eat and drink, so that’s what we will do!!!

Drinks and snacks will be served starting at 3pm. Eulogies and open sharing will begin at 4pm. Dinner, music and drinks immediately after! (Andrew’s favorites!)

A celebration of life gathering for Andrew will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at D-Barn, 136 S. Main Street, Longmont, Colorado 80501, followed by a eulogy and open sharing at 4:00 PM.