Per Robert Andersson, 59

Per Robert Andersson, age 59, passed away on June 21, 2026, after a yearlong battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.  He was born on September 28, 1966, in Arvidsjaur, Sweden to Sten and Gunnel Andersson.

In his youth in Sweden, Per was a prolific downhill skier.  He also played guitar with his dad and in garage bands, playing for many throughout his life.  He had a love for AC/DC, Formula 1, driving and sliding cars, and was famous for driving his dirt bike on one wheel, claiming to hold a wheelie for over 2 kilometers.  He served in the Swedish Armed Forces as a Green Beret where he was voted “best comrade” by his battalion.

Per immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1990 to pursue a career in aviation.  He first moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to begin his flight training.  He quickly became a Certified Flight Instructor, then Chief Pilot at a flight school where he taught many his love of flying; making many lifelong friends.  His career took him across the US and the world, ranging from a stint in the Marshall Islands to flying Learjets in Denton, Texas for Ameristar.  On October 20, 1997, Per joined United Airlines where he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Major Airline Captain.

In 2002, Per and then wife Christine moved to Woodstock to raise their son Timothy after watching Groundhog Day and liking the quote at the end of the movie, “Let’s live here.”

Ultimately, Per married Kim Ash sharing 16 years together of love and partnership, spending summers boating on the Chain of Lakes, and traveling with their children and close friends Steve and Stephanie Plourde.  They traveled the world to many destinations, his favorites being Mexico, London, Rome, and spending time with family and friends in Sweden.

Per is survived by his devoted wife Kim; his son, Timothy Andersson (Jenny Ovist); Kim’s children, Raquel Baldwin (Sam Saxton), Luke (Jess) Baldwin, Jenna (Neal) Sankey, Drake Creighton, Elle Creighton (Ryan Ortmann), Fallon Ash (Eli Hillmann); and grandchildren, Theo and Remi Baldwin, Odin Saxton, Faye Ortiz, Iyra and Cora Baldwin, Levin and Ryelan Sankey, and Camille Ortmann.  Per is also survived by his sister Åsa (Truls) Nilsson; and his nephews, Loke and Knut Nilsson, in Sweden.

Per was preceded in death by his parents, Sten and Gunnel Andersson, of Sweden; and his father and mother in-law, Richard and Judy Koch, of Harvard.

A celebration of Per’s life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern, 101 E. Church St, Woodstock, IL 60098.  Family, friends, and acquaintances are all welcome to come together to share their memories, laughs, and special moments that they shared with Per.