Richard F. Erickson

Richard (Dick) F. Erickson

Born January 20, 1930 in St. Paul MN, passed away November 23, 2016 in Edmonds, WA, survived by his children Patricia and Chip Erickson (Charlotte), sister-in-law June Winter, 3 granddaughters Shelby, Lauren and Kayla and a great-grandson Calvin. Dick never knew his mother Tillie who died when he was 3 and was raised by his father Harold along with his older brother, Harold Jr. Their childhood was a Depression story worthy of Steinbeck as they crisscrossed the western US looking for work, hitching rides on freight trains and fruit trucks and somehow always finding refuge in the kindness of strangers. Those who spent time with Dick came to know the characters of his youth through oft-told stories, narrated in his characteristic booming voice. Dick started his career in the moving and storage business as a teenager, working his way from sweeping floors into upper management with World Wide Movers over his 50 year career. Along the way he served 2 years in the Coast Guard during the Korean War and met the love of his life Patricia who preceded him in death in 2011 after 59 years of devoted marriage. He also briefly taught the Dale Carnegie Sales Course, the teachings of which had a profound impact on his professional life. The Erickson family had many adventures as Dick's career took him to Puerto Rico for a year and Honolulu for 3 years where he served as President of the Hawaii Trucking Association, then returning to the Seattle area for good in 1974. Dick loved to play golf with the Pickle Club and tinker at his workbench, but he will be remembered most for his relentless optimism, his easy sense of humor and an uncanny ability to find the goodness in all people.

A memorial service will be held at 2PM Friday 12/9 at Trinity Presbyterian Church located at 1315 N. 160th St. in Shoreline.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tomorrow's Hope Daycare

at www.housinghope.org/tomorrow-s-hope.