Richard Emmanuel Erickson
Richard Emmanuel Erickson, 91, passed into heaven Monday, March 19, 2012.
Richard Emmanuel Erickson, 91, passed into heaven Monday, March 19, 2012.
The son of Swedish immigrants Axel and Anna Erickson, he was born on Aug. 10, 1920 in Superior.
At a young age, Richard began working for his father at Erickson Gronquist grocery store. He was very active in the Covenant Church throughout his life, sang in the choir and had a beautiful voice. He graduated from the former Central High School in 1938 and from Superior State Teachers College in 1942. On Dec. 30, 1942, he married Virginia Swanson, daughter of Marie and Gust Swanson of Superior, and taught for a while in Spooner, Wis.
Richard served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon completion of Fighter Pilot Training, an illness left him with an inner ear problem so that he could no longer fly. After teaching communications for the military in Brady, Texas, he returned to civilian life and worked for Farmers New World Life Insurance Co., earning many fun family trips as the company's top salesman.
For many years, Richard was a senior real estate appraiser and served as the Chairman and Director of the Board at Superior Savings Bank for 55 years. He resigned from this position in January 2012 at the age of 91 because of ill health.
Richard loved his family and friends, had a wonderful sense of humor and was fun to be with. Well into his 80's he was active at their Lake Nebagamon cabin, enjoying waterskiing, riding his bicycle, picking berries and attending neighborhood potlucks and Thursday evening bible studies. He was an active member of Gideons International for decades, often helping with their distribution of bibles.
Richard had a love for music, especially the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and the old hymns. He was a kind and gentle man, who was loved dearly by his family and friends. Richard believed in John 14:6.
He will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia; four children, Marcia Roberts of Boulder, Colo., Lou Ann Petersen of Madison, Wis., Rick Erickson of New York City, and Kristin Accola of Superior; four grandchildren, Melissa, Kelly, Heidi Roberts and Kristafer Accola; one brother-in-law, Raymond (Marvel) Swanson, Solon Springs; one sister-in-law, Janice Swanson, Batavia, Ill., and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Gladys Rymer, Wilbur Erickson and a son-in-law, Thomas Austen Peterson.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 24, at the First Covenant Church in Duluth.
Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.
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