Andy Detwiler Explained

Andy Detwiler
Birth Name:Thomas Andrew Detwiler[1] [2]
Birth Date:24 November 1969
Birth Place:Urbana, Ohio, U.S.
Death Place:Urbana, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation:Farmer
Children:1

Thomas Andrew Detwiler (November 24, 1969[1] – September 21, 2022), also known as Harmless Farmer, was an American farmer who lost both of his arms in an accident as a very young child, and was known for his YouTube videos.[3]

Biography

Detwiler was born in Urbana, Ohio, the son of a farmer and a middle school teacher. He had a sister and a brother. At the age of two, his paternal grandfather was working on a screw conveyor. Detwiler came up to his grandfather and imitated him, but came too close to the screw conveyor, losing both of his arms and receiving cuts to his face. He was rushed to the hospital.[4]

At the age of nine, Detwiler was recognized by Ace Elliott who worked for the Dayton Daily News, in which Elliott noted that Detwiler could write with his legs.[5] Detwiler attended Salem Elementary School[6] and West Liberty-Salem High School, graduating in 1988.

Detwiler decided to make a YouTube channel on March 3, 2016.[7] His first video, called Welcome to the Farm, was posted on November 1, 2018.[8] He thought of receiving money while making YouTube videos for which he had gained popularity while his channel was receiving views in YouTube. He and his wife, Corkey Wallace, had one child, a daughter, Kylie Detwiler.

In 2020, Detwiler announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He then was afflicted with pneumonia and suffered an aneurysm. His last video was called New Tires For The Oliver 1600, which was posted on September 17, 2022.[9] Detwiler died from the aneurysm on September 21, 2022, in Urbana, Ohio, aged 52.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andy Detwiler, Armless Farmer Who Became a YouTube Star, Dies at 52. The New York Times. Alex. Traub. October 12, 2022. October 14, 2022.
  2. Web site: Thomas Andrew Detwiler: Armless farmer and YouTube sensation dies of aneurysm at 52. Meaww. Piyush. Arora. October 14, 2022. October 14, 2022.
  3. Web site: Andy Detwiler, armless farmer who became a YouTube star, dies at 52. Alex. Traub. The Boston Globe. October 12, 2022. October 14, 2022.
  4. News: Double Amputee Meets Challenge. Springfield News-Sun. Springfield, Ohio. January 31, 1973. October 14, 2022. 3. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Andy lives life to the fullest despite handicap. Ace. Elliott. Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. May 20, 1979. October 14, 2022. 25. Newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: Handicapped Boy Subject Of Film. Springfield News-Sun. Springfield, Ohio. June 26, 1977. October 14, 2022. 47. Newspapers.com.
  7. Web site: Harmless Farmer – Andy Detwiler. YouTube. October 14, 2022.
  8. Web site: Welcome to the Farm. YouTube. Andy Detwiler. November 1, 2018. October 14, 2022. West Liberty, Ohio.
  9. Web site: New Tires For The Oliver 1600. YouTube. Andy Detwiler. September 17, 2022. October 14, 2022.