Harold Carl "Hal" Erickson Jr.

Harold Carl Erickson, Jr, "Hal" was born November 25, 1932 in Chicago, IL to Harold Carl Erickson, Sr. and Lillian M Erickson, surviving infant tuberculosis which was passed to him from his mother. who died from the disease in 1934 when Hal was just 21 months old. He was raised by his grandmother, Anna D Erickson and his father. He was baptized at the Tabor Evangelical and Reformed Church in Chicago, and attended William P. Gray Elementary School, then went on to graduate from Carl Schurz High School in January 1951. As a youth, he joined the Illinois DeMolay organization, making lifelong friends, and later was awarded the highest honor, the Degree of Chevalier on May 14, 1955.

Hal met his future wife, Suzanne "Suzie" J Lawrence, when she moved in down the street, and about 4 years later they were married in April, 1953 at Tabor Church. After attending some drafting courses at the University of Chicago and intense study of engineering books Hal passed the 16-hour exam to earn his State of Illinois Structural Engineering license. He later became licensed in six states: IL, IN, WI, CO, MT and NY, and was licensed and consulting in IL through 2024. Hal and Suzie spent the first four years of their marriage working to earn money to build their Park Ridge home in 1957. They began their family in 1960, raising their three daughters in that home

In 1966, Hal and three associates, William Rittweger, Mehmet Nejat Tokay and Richard E. Rommel established Rittweger and Tokay, Inc. structural engineering firm in Park Ridge, IL. Hal managed the firm, provided structural engineering for thousands of construction buildings and projects, and oversaw several draftsmen and draftswomen until the other three officers had passed, then took the business private. Among thousands of projects, some included: the Morton Arboretum, Illinois Masonic Hospital, the Playboy/Palmolive Building Beacon, Campbell Soup Farms, and many others. Hal provided many years of consulting projects for the Shedd Aquarium, including the holding tanks, Caribbean Reef tank, and Oceanarium. At Shedd, everyone knew Hal or his name, and he was given a pass and keys to every door in the building, along with a lifetime open invitation to come at any time with a few guests to enjoy the exhibits and often get a current "backstage tour", which delighted his family and closest friends. He would tell everyone that he had been inside, outside, over, and under the Shedd at some point or another, and one time, unknowingly swam with piranhas. During a 2023 visit, Hal enjoyed a tour of the deconstruction of the Caribbean Reef tank and learning about the 100 th anniversary 2030 Centennial Commitment vision project; something he was looking forward to seeing in his lifetime. The next time you are visiting Shedd Aquarium, take a moment to admire the building structure and the ceiling in the Oceanarium, and remember Hal and his many contributions there.

Hal became an Illinois Freemason in the 1960s, and was raised up in the Park Ridge, Illinois Lodge No. 988 on April 1, 1968, installed as the Lodge Master in 1975, and later joined the Geneva, Illinois Masonic Lodge No. 139. During the early years, he also joined the Scottish Rite Valley – Chicago, progressing through various levels and became a Chicago Medinah Shriner. In 1999, he joined the Fox Valley Shrine Club in Batavia, IL when the couple moved into the area. With Suzie at his side, Hal dedicated nearly 60 years to the Illinois Masonic and Shriners causes in various degrees and services, in clubs and units, events, and in support roles to many Potentates and other Shriners. He loved being an integral part of an organization that ultimately benefits healing children, the Shriner's Children's Hospitals.

As Daddy, he loved his three daughters fiercely, teaching them practical and life lessons that made each able to make critical decisions and live independently. He was a "girl dad", accompanying them to figure skating shows and school events, but also taught them how to change the oil or a tire on their cars, basic plumbing, mowing the lawn, and general "handyman: things. His love and commitment to his family also demonstrated to his daughters how to love and care deeply, which is evident in their own families, and the love and care each daughter gave back to Hal and Suzie in their twilight years. As Grandpa to four, and Papa to four, he gave each of the children his love and wise words, as well.

Hal and Suzie enjoyed their new home in Batavia for nearly a quarter century making intergenerational friends with neighbors. They were joined at the hip, and their marriage was truly made in heaven, lasting 70 years, until Suzie's passing in July, 2023. After she passed, Hal's delight was in his family and whenever the neighborhood dogs would come visit him. "Does your puppy want a cookie?" he would say, as he sat in the garage or at the front door. Many puppies would come by, but his regulars, Rizzo, Daisy, Lola, Champ, and Buster were his favorites, and each felt completely at ease visiting him inside the house during his last months for their "cookie fix" and his "payment" of a scratch on the head.

Hal continued to love his Suzie to his last dying breath and passed peacefully at home into the arms of his Savior, Jesus, and reunited at last with his soulmate.

Hal is survived by his daughters, Lillian Erickson, Ami (Kevin) McCarthy and Candice Erickson, four grandchildren, Kayte Thomas, Edward Kupjack, Danielle (Weston) LaFever and David Blagaich, Jr., four great-grandchildren, Ashley and Tristan Neal, Dominic Thomas and Otto LaFever.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne, his parents and a half brother, Sgt. Vernon Arthur Erickson.

A memorial and Masonic service is planned for 7:00 P.M., Thursday, February 26th at Yurs Funeral Home of Geneva, IL. A memorial visitation will be Thursday, February 26th from 4:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Harold's name to the Illinois Masonic Outreach Services (IMOS) charity of the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A. M., or to Shriner's Children's Hospital Chicago, two charities close to his heart.