Andrew Paul Santoso

Andrew Paul Santoso, age 33, of Erie, Colorado unexpectedly passed on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Andrew was born in Coon Rapids, MN to Junus Santoso and Corinne Hoyt-Santoso. Andrew was raised in Onalaska, WI.

Andrew met his wife, Chrissy Nichols, in La Crosse, WI where they both worked for the science department at Viterbo University. Andrew and Chrissy were married in Rocky Mountain National Park on September 22, 2019. They have so many special memories hiking in Colorado, and Colorado is where they welcomed their daughter, Phoebe, in January 2023. They enjoyed 11 years together.

Andrew received his Bachelors of Science in Mathematical Physics from Viterbo University in 2013. He received his Masters of Science in Radiological Physics from Wayne State University in 2015. Andrew culminated his educational degrees by earning a PhD in Medical Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2019. Andrew continued to pursue his medical physics training by attending the University of Colorado Medical Physics Residency Program.

Andrew was an Assistant Professor in Medical Physics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he was the lead physicist at the UCHealth Longs Peak Medical Center. He cared so deeply about ensuring high quality radiation therapy treatment.

He was a dedicated educator, and he mentored numerous medical physics residents, led clinical rotations, and created new ways to teach within the University of Colorado Medical Physics Residency Program. He directed the Medical Physics Journal Club within the residency program, as well as reviewed and submitted numerous publications in several journals.

While working on his PhD, he founded and co-chaired a medical physics graduate student outreach committee that focused primarily on providing hands-on medical physics activities for underrepresented groups. He also was involved in the American Association of Medical Physics, serving on the organization’s Undergraduate Summer Fellowship and Outreach Subcommittee and the Working Group on Science Council Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Andrew had many hobbies and interests. Growing up, music was integral to connecting with friends and to the world around him. He played guitar in a few local bands in La Crosse, WI. He had an affinity for music production and a knack for finding the balance of the music. He also enjoyed bike rides, hiking (and taking a nap once reaching the destination), baking loaves of sourdough bread, trying out new restaurants and Boba tea shops. His sense of humor always shined so brightly on the dance floor at weddings.

Andrew had many academic and professional achievements and titles, but his most important and favorite was “Dad”. His daughter Phoebe was the light of his life. He was always ready to put her in the Burley Bike Trailer and bike to a nearby park to play. They had a bond built on countless bedtime stories, late night snuggle sessions, and endless hugs. Phoebe will always be the little girl who made his world brighter.

He loved people so fiercely and loved to chat with friends on the phone for hours. He always made sure those around him knew how much he loved and cared about them - not only with his words but also his actions.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Chrissy, and their daughter, Phoebe. There are many additional family, friends, and coworkers that were near and dear to his heart that he also leaves behind.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Suzanne Hoyt.

A celebration of life for Andrew will be held Monday, September 23, 2024 at 9:30 AM at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, Colorado 80501. Following the celebration of life will be a reception at 10:30 AM.

Please come wearing green or purple to celebrate his life. A livestream will be available as well.

If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988. There is always a reason to stay.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the GoFundMe that has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-a-Chrissy-and-Phoebe

Services are entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.