Andrew Michael "Mike" Erdman

Andrew Michael "Mike" Erdman, 74 of Spring Mills, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Born on November 25, 1947, in Lebanon, PA, he was the son of the late Carl Maurice "Maury" and Patricia "Pat" (Behney) Erdman.

Mike was a graduate of Penn State University's (PSU) Engineering Science program. He earned a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from USC and worked towards his PhD at RPI. After graduating from PSU, he moved with his young family to Los Angeles, to help design the engine for the 1st Space Shuttle. Later, he moved to upstate NY, where he and his wife Donna raised their kids, and bred/raised golden retrievers and thoroughbred horses on their farm, Nicker Barker Farm.

In NY, Mike worked at Knolls Atomic Power Lab (KAPL). For 34 years, he held management positions while conducting research on nuclear propulsion for submarines. Mike held leadership roles in Schenectady, NY with the United Way, Red Cross, Human Services Planning Council, Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, the Schenectady Curling Club and more.

As a lifelong supporter of PSU, Mike recruited graduates for GE & KAPL and held leadership roles including presiding over PSU's Engineering Alumni Society, Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) Alumni Society, ESM Industrial and Professional Advisory Council, and the Centre County Chapter of Penn State's Alumni Association, and served as a founding advisor for PSU's Engineering Leadership Society and served on the PSU Alumni Council. When he retired from KAPL, he became the Walter L. Robb Director for PSU Engineering Leadership Development (ELD). He was recognized as a fellow for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Centennial Fellow for PSU ESM, and PSU's Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award. As a Professor of Practice, he, facilitated international teams to tackle global engineering problems. He shared his love for the countries he visited with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna L. Erdman; daughter, Heather Erdman [Frederick, MD] and son, Greg Erdman (Debbie) [Montgomery, OH]; three sisters, Ellen Nicholas [Mt. Gretna, PA], Ann Safstrom (John) [Manheim, PA], Trish Stoltzfus (Ken) [Womelsdorf, PA]; and three grandchildren, Alexander Erdman [Frederick, MD] and Cameron and Olivia Erdman [Montgomery, OH].

Funeral service will be Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mike Erdman Global Leader Fund in the PSU College of Engineering, at www.raise.psu.edu/ErdmanFund. Arrangements have been entrusted to Koch Funeral home, of State College, PA. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.