Andrew Joseph Coulson

Andrew J. Coulson passed away on February 7, 2016 at the age of 48. Though he graduated from McGill University with a degree in mathematics and computer science, he dedicated most of his adult life to his true passion: education reform. He spent his early career as a senior fellow in education policy at the Mackinaw Center for Public Policy. In 2005, he joined the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. where he was a senior fellow at the time of his death. He was the author of Market Education: The Untold History, and the creator and host of the upcoming documentary series, School, Inc. His colleagues remember him as a fine thinker and passionate advocate who channeled his passion into an unusual blend of productivity, hard research, humor and intellectual joy. Though Andrew adored his work, he also found happiness in reading, statistics, sailing, philology, coffee, gardening, old-time radio shows, Scrabble, and anything that involved a tractor or power tools (preferably both). He had an unerring moral compass, found humor in everything, and was preternaturally upbeat and optimistic throughout his life. The equanimity and grace with which he handled his recent illness was humbling to those around him. He is survived by his wife, Kay Krewson; his parents, Violet and Donald Coulson and mother-in-law Penney Krewson; brother, Geoffrey, sister-in-law Donna, and their sons Matthew and Scott; sister, Dawn Marie Bryce, her husband Douglas and their children Kevin and Rachel; brother Stuart, his wife Hua Lian and their children Jessica and Steven; and his brother-in-law J.B. Krewson, his wife Kris and their children Freddy and Cece. Andrew was adored, admired, cherished and loved. A celebration of his life will be held in the coming months.