August Erik Andersen,86, "Maverick of the Catskills", lifelong farmer and woodsman, died on July 4th, 2015 at his home in Long Eddy, NY. The son of Danish immigrants, August P. and Dorthea (Hopner- Petersen) Andersen, was born May 19, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY. In 1936, his parents moved to the farm in Long Eddy. He graduated from Callicoon High School and then attended Cornell University for the Two Year Agriculture Program. August married Irene Kovac on July 3, 1954 in Cherry Valley, NY. He ran a dairy farm until 1968 and then expanded the maple syrup operation to 9000 taps. "Augie" was always interested in machines and innovative ways of doing things. He was one of the first farmers to own a bulk tank and breed his cows using artificial insemination in the 1950's. The modem maple syrup operation used plastic tubing, vacuum systems, and reverse osmosis. He also started breeding Polled Hereford cattle that he could market locally for freezer beef. Augie was also an avid hunter and woodsman. August served on many agricultural boards and organizations, including: President of the local Dairymen's League, 4-H Leader and member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, President of the New York Hereford Association, member of the NY Beef Cattlemen's Association, Director of the NYS Beef Industry Council, USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee and the NYS Maple Association.Surviving are his wife, Irene, at home, a son, Peter Andersen and wife Patti, Long Eddy, NY, 2 daughters, Amy Kelsey and husband Maurice, Canastota, NY, and Anna Marie Andersen and partner Bill Zepel, Scranton, NC, 6 grandchildren, Jenny Mills and husband Jon, Julie Wittman and husband Peter, Jason Kelsey and wife Dakota, Justine Kelsey, John Paul Rosello, and Megan Andersen, and 6 great grandchildren, Lilly and Logan Mills, Brooke and Wyatt Wittman, and Bailee and Annabelle Kelsey. He was predeceased by a grandson, Mason Rosello. Interment of Augie's ashes will be held privately in the Rock Valley Cemetery, Rock Valley, NY.Donations can be made in Augie's memory to the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 258, Hankins, NY 12741.