A forward from WFMT’s Matt DeStefano:

Two  weeks ago, on Critical Thinking with Andrew Patner, we heard the latest in his series of consistently  inquisitive, intellectually stimulating, enlightening conversations with Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti.  The next morning, we woke up to the shocking and sad news that our Andrew, our colleague, WFMT’s Critic at Large, and most importantly, to so many, our dear, dear friend, had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, at just 55 years of age.

Andrew referred to me as Matt, the one “who made [him] sound great.”  For the past eight or so years, I would engineer, edit, and help plan his Critical Thinking and Critic’s Choice programs.  But beyond our working relationship, we became close friends.  We talked about life, the good and the bad, and he’d never pass judgment on me.  He was the kind of person I could trust with the kind of stuff I didn’t want to worry my mom with, and he always knew what to say to help me sort things out.   Andrew always had the heart to help a friend in need, no questions asked.  He once offered his home for a whole week when I need a place to stay, and years later, I became his neighbor.  Oftentimes, when we were finished with work at the station, he’d head out the door and say to me, “see you at the add-dress,†referring to home.  Imagine that.   Andrew, buddy, I will miss you so.

We will continue to honor Andrew’s legacy with broadcasts of his Critical Thinking and Critic’s Choice programs and Critic’s Choice segments.  Tonight, on Critical Thinking, a program first heard May 31^st 2009. For president’s day, from his Lincoln Reconsidered series, here’s Andrew Patner with a program titled “Lincoln and Music.â€