Andy Detwiler

Andy Detwiler
Detwiler in 1979
Born
Thomas Andrew Detwiler

(1969-11-24)November 24, 1969
DiedSeptember 21, 2022(2022-09-21) (aged 52)
Urbana, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationFarmer
Spouse
Corkey Wallace
​
(m. 1996)​
Children1

Thomas Andrew Detwiler (November 24, 1969 – September 21, 2022), known professionally 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 videos on YouTube.

Life and career

Thomas Andrew Detwiler was born in Urbana, Ohio, the son of Thomas Detwiler, a farmer, and Patricia Simpson, a middle school teacher. He had a sister and a brother. At the age of two, his paternal grandfather Lawrence Bick Detwiler was working on a screw conveyor. He 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.

Detwiler attended Salem Elementary School. At the age of nine, he was recognized by Ace Elliott of the Dayton Daily News, noting that Detwiler could write with his legs. According to the Springfield News-Sun, he played with his farm toys with his legs. He also attended West Liberty-Salem High School, graduating in 1988.

Detwiler created his YouTube channel on March 3, 2016, uploading his first video Welcome to the Farm on November 1, 2018. He thought of receiving money while making YouTube videos, for which his channel popularity while his channel was receiving views on YouTube. On September 17, 2022, he posted his last video New Tires For The Oliver 1600.

Personal life and death

In 1996, Detwiler married Corkey Wallace. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2022.

In 2020, Detwiler announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He then was afflicted with pneumonia and suffered an aneurysm. He died from an aneurysm on September 21, 2022, in Urbana, Ohio, at the age of 52.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Traub, Alex (October 12, 2022). "Andy Detwiler, Armless Farmer Who Became a YouTube Star, Dies at 52". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Arora, Piyush (October 14, 2022). "Thomas Andrew Detwiler: Armless farmer and YouTube sensation dies of aneurysm at 52". Meaww. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Harmless Farmer – Andy Detwiler". YouTube. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ Traub, Alex (October 12, 2022). "Andy Detwiler, armless farmer who became a YouTube star, dies at 52". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Thomas "Andy" Detwiler". Eichholtz Daring Funeral Homes and Cremation Center. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Double Amputee Meets Challenge". Springfield News-Sun. Springfield, Ohio. January 31, 1973. p. 3. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  7. ↑ Elliott, Ace (May 20, 1979). "Andy lives life to the fullest despite handicap". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. p. 25. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  8. ↑ "Handicapped Boy Subject Of Film". Springfield News-Sun. Springfield, Ohio. June 26, 1977. p. 47. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  9. ↑ Andy Detwiler (November 1, 2018). "Welcome to the Farm". YouTube. West Liberty, Ohio. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Andy Detwiler (September 17, 2022). "New Tires For The Oliver 1600". YouTube. Retrieved October 14, 2022.