Andy Detwiler, also known as Harmless Farmer, was a YouTube star who shared his life as an armless farmer on his channel. He died on September 21, 2022, at the age of 52, after battling cancer and pneumonia. His death was announced by his family in his obituary and confirmed by The New York Times. Here is what you need to know about his life, his accident, his YouTube career, and his legacy.
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The Accident That Changed His Life
Andy Detwiler was born on November 24, 1969, in Urbana, Ohio. He was the son of a farmer and a middle school teacher. He had a sister and a brother. When he was only two years old, he lost both of his arms in a tragic farming accident. He was imitating his grandfather who was working on a screw conveyor, but he came too close to the machine and got caught in it. He was rushed to the hospital and survived, but he had to live without arms for the rest of his life.
How He Adapted to His Disability
Despite his disability, Andy Detwiler did not give up on living a normal life. He learned how to write with his legs, drive a tractor, feed the animals, and do other farm chores with his feet and mouth. He also had a good sense of humor and a positive attitude about his situation. He once said, “I’ve always just had a good attitude. You’ve got to be able to make a joke out of bad things. I’ve always been able to joke about not having arms. If you can’t have a good attitude about something like this, you’re finished.”
He attended Salem Elementary School and West Liberty-Salem High School, graduating in 1988. He married Corkey Wallace in 1996 and they had one daughter, Kylie Detwiler. He continued farming corn, soybeans, and livestock alongside his family as an adult.
How He Became a YouTube Sensation
In 2016, Andy Detwiler decided to start a YouTube channel called Harmless Farmer – Andy Detwiler. He wanted to share his daily life on the farm and inspire others with his resilience and humor. His first video, titled Welcome to the Farm, was posted on November 1, 2018. It showed him driving a tractor, feeding the cows, and introducing himself to the viewers.
His channel quickly gained popularity and reached over 300,000 subscribers and over 40 million views. He posted videos of him doing various tasks on the farm, such as planting seeds, harvesting crops, fixing machines, and taking care of animals. He also showed how he used different tools and gadgets to make his work easier, such as a modified steering wheel, a foot-operated keyboard, and a voice-activated phone.
He also collaborated with other farmers and YouTubers, such as Millennial Farmer, Cole The Cornstar, and Brian’s Farming Videos. He received many positive comments and messages from his fans who admired his courage and determination.
How He Fought Cancer and Pneumonia
In 2020, Andy Detwiler revealed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He shared his diagnosis and his treatment journey with his viewers in several videos. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the tumor in his esophagus. He also had surgery to remove part of his esophagus and stomach.
He faced many challenges and complications during his recovery process. He had difficulty swallowing food and liquids. He lost weight and strength. He suffered from infections and bleeding. He also developed pneumonia in September 2022.
He was admitted to Mercy Health-Urbana Hospital in Urbana, Ohio, where he received treatment for pneumonia. However, he suffered an aneurysm and died shortly after on September 21, 2022.
How He Left a Lasting Legacy
Andy Detwiler’s death was mourned by many people who knew him personally or through his YouTube videos. His family described him as “a loving husband, father, son, brother” who “loved farming” and “had an infectious smile”. His fellow YouTubers paid tribute to him on social media and expressed their condolences to his family.
Many of his fans also shared their memories of him and how he inspired them with his videos. Some said that he taught them how to appreciate life more and overcome their own challenges. Some said that he made them laugh and smile with his jokes and stories. Some said that he motivated them to pursue their dreams and passions.
Andy Detwiler’s last video was posted on September 17, 2022. It showed him getting new tires for his Oliver 1600 tractor. He ended the video by saying, “Thanks for watching, everybody. We’ll see you next time.”
Andy Detwiler may be gone, but his spirit lives on in his videos and in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans. He was a harmless farmer who became a YouTube star. He was a man who lived without arms but with a big heart. He was an example of how to face adversity with grace and humor. He was Andy Detwiler, the Harmless Farmer.
