With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Andrew Timothy Staggenborg, who left us far too soon on April 18, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 22.

Born Andriy Kochmar on December 29, 2002, in Lviv, Ukraine, Andrew brought an infectious smile, a cheerful heart, a generous soul and an unwavering desire to help others. Andrew had a deep love for animals, fish, plants, and art, but above all, his family and friends.

To know him was to love him —even if, at times, you wanted to strangle him for the mess he left behind or the fish and plants he unexpectedly entrusted to your care. Andrew was joyful, helpful, fiercely kind, unfailingly sweet, sometimes goofy, often clumsy, but always loving. His golden heart, sharp sense of humor, and compassionate soul made him unforgettable. His twinkling blue eyes and bright smile lit up every room he walked into. His broken English and cute, endearing accent only made him more lovable.

Though he faced many challenges in his short life, Andrew never let them hold him back. He lived more fully in 22 years than most do in a lifetime.

Andrew had a passion for people, travel, learning, graphic design and life itself. He was deeply connected to both his Ukrainian and American roots, and he carried them proudly. He was excited about the future—about what was next. Earlier this year, he had the chance to model for the first time and was a natural in front of the camera. He was planning a trip to Poland and Ukraine this summer to reconnect with family. He had recently graduated with an associate’s degree from St. Louis Community College and was thriving in his first semester at UMSL, proud of the hard work he was putting into his studies.

Andrew is survived by his loving parents, Tim and Kim Staggenborg; his siblings, Mira and Grant Staggenborg; his grandparents, John and Judy Staggenborg; his aunt and uncle, Jennifer Staggenborg and Will Chapin; and his special friend, Karina Sharafutdinova—all of the St. Louis area. He is also survived by his grandmother Valentina, godmother Alla, and sisters Olena and Galina, all in the Lviv area of Ukraine, along with many extended family members and close friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his mother, Angela Kochmar of Ukraine, and his grandparents Jerry and Phyllis Maxwell of Oklahoma.

We will miss you, sweet Andriy. We are so grateful for the time we had with you, and we thank God for choosing us to be your family. We will consider ourselves eternally blessed to have lived, loved and laughed alongside you. Though your time with us was far shorter than we had hoped, your spirit will live on in our hearts and most cherished memories. Go now and do all that your soul longs to do—until we meet again. We send you with all our love, and carry you with us, always and forever.