ANDREW SCHIRRMEISTER III

08/13/1955 - 09/05/2022

Andrew Charles Schirrmeister III died of cardiac arrest on September 5 while visiting his mother in New York. All will remember his unbridled joie de vivre, mind sharp as a tack, boundless energy, and generous spirit.

Born August 13th 1955 in New York City, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy and went on to receive a BA and MA in Comparative Politics from the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated magna cum laude. He then went to Capitol Hill and ran the historic campaign by which Steve Symms, Republican Senator from Idaho, defeated Frank Church.

Andrew received his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he met his first wife and the mother of his three children, Olivia Thomas. They moved to Houston in 1984, where he became a partner at Baker Botts. Possessed of an independent streak and entrepreneurial spirit, he founded several eponymous firms, the last being Schirrmeister DiazArrastia Brem.

Andrew specialized in products liability and toxic tort litigation, serving as national counsel to DuPont in its benzene litigation. He adored the blood, sweat, and tears of a challenging trial. He developed an extensive practice in Mexico and Latin America, where he made fast friends with opposing counsel, clients, private investigators and experts above and below the border.

From a young age, Andrew loved to travel. He took a gap year in college where he taught English at a school in Normandy, France, then traveled around West Africa. He was a road warrior at work, never minding the long hours. He served as Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Houston, where he hosted foreign heads of state and promoted Houston’s standing in the global community. He loved spending time in Santa Monica and Palm Springs with his wife Robin Dedina Young.

Andrew was a fixture in Houston’s art scene. He served on the boards of

CAM Houston and Project RowHouses, but equally supported some of Houston’s lesser known establishments. Andrew collected contemporary art and supported young and upcoming artists. He held receptions at his home in the Museum District, often housing visiting artists and curators. As a trustee of the Houston Grand Opera, he sponsored singers from Russia and Mexico.

He took full advantage of Houston’s offerings. When his three children Clare, Grace, and Andy were young, he took them to The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation every Saturday, followed by a trip to a museum. He loved Teppay and Cafe Lili (both on Westheimer), equally enjoying the food as well as the friends he made there. Many a Sunday was spent with his son watching the Texans at one of Houston’s fine dining establishments. Andrew loved to entertain family and friends at the River Oaks Country Club and was thrilled to celebrate his daughter Clare’s wedding there last fall.

He adored his children and would fly across the country to see them at the drop of a hat. When they were young, Andrew drove them to school every morning, always making a pit stop at Starbucks for hot chocolate. He was the pied piper to his three siblings, his best friend and sister Anne, his brothers Charles and William, brotherin-law Alain Goldrach, sisters-in-law Cara and Jian, and his eight nieces and nephews and was devoted to his mother Virginia. He spent a month every summer on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire with his family, and never missed a single graduation, even if it meant two in one weekend.

His birthday was as important as Christmas in the Schirrmeister firmament, and in August, he gathered with his family at the lake to eat angel food cake, set off fireworks, and swim to “the rock.” He was the heart and soul of our family and we will mourn his loss, cherish his memory and hold him close forever. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Loon Preservation Committee, Moultonborough, NH.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, October 30th in Houston.