Andy Sargent

1944 - 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we report our colleague and friend, Andy Sargent has passed away after a brief and unexpected illness. Andy has been the Kitsap County Veteran's Assistance Program Manager since 2017 and brought a passion for serving his fellow veterans, to his work.

Andy served as an officer in the United States Air Force from 1968-1981, where he was the Commander of the 204 Field Training Detachment (FTD), graduating over 2,000 students a year from technical and flight crew classes. He received a Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University and a Juris Doctor degree from John F. Kennedy University.

Andy practiced law for many years, with an emphasis on business and small corporate matters, including startups, business plans, intellectual property, family law and litigation services. He spent time as CEO and CFO to several corporations and startup businesses, including Concert Sound Consultants, where he performed design services for Disney theme parks. Such services included a park wide audio control system for Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Seas, Paris Disneyland, Disney World and Disneyland. He also worked on the design, development, and installation of audio and computer equipment for the Beijing opera house and Korea Independence Day celebrations. 

Throughout his legal career he provided countless hours of pro bono work for veterans and their families. He continued to teach law classes for various universities around the United States, teaching for Southern New Hampshire University for the last four years, as an adjunct professor.  He served as guardian ad litem for several individuals in addition to his work with the Kitsap veteran community.

A Highlight of Andy's service as the Veterans Program Manager for Kitsap County includes his instrumental involvement in establishing women-centered services at the biannual Stand Down outreach events. This was a monumental shift in recognizing the needs of women veterans and creating a safe space to seek assistance as needed. 

Peggy Roy, Chair of the Veterans Advisory Board Kitsap County reflected that "Andy's vast experience in working on Veteran's issues was invaluable.  He was crucial in planning veterans' events which consist of:  Veteran Stand Downs, Run to Tahoma, and Military Appreciation Day.  He was strongly supportive. He will be dearly missed and will always be with us in spirit."   

His latest venture was helping to create a Community Based Outpatient VA Clinic Advisory Board, where he used his belief in helping others to establish and support the new Board by drafting bylaws, policies, and procedures to ensure success.

Recently quoted in a Military Appreciation article on March 5, 2021, highlighting the extensive work involved in implementing a Stand Down, Andy said, "It's okay to ask for help, and that's something that goes against military culture. Our job here is to help you get back on your feet and get your life going again, Veterans helping Veterans".  This is a quote he lived by, apparent in his endless community efforts. Kitsap County honors Andrew Sargent's hard work, his heart of compassion will be greatly missed.