Richard J. "Rick" Erickson

Richard "Rick" Joseph Erickson, of Wheaton, Illinois, has passed away peacefully at age 68. On September 19, 2025, he departed to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rick was born in Elgin, Illinois, rounding out a family of six children alongside his twin brother (and lifelong best friend) Randy. Rick spent his childhood in Stamford, Connecticut, living like Huckleberry Finn, building rafts on Long Island Sound, and playing baseball with tennis rackets on the beach. In middle school, he moved with his family to Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. He formed a close group of friends and spawned many of his legendary tales of playful mischief. He excelled at football, basketball, street hockey, and every sport he could join. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, obtaining a bachelor's degree in economics. Alongside his classes, he worked at Madison Newspapers, where he met his wife of 42 years, Tammy Erickson (née Liesenberg).

After university, Rick and Tammy settled down in Wheaton, and Rick accepted a job at Household International (now HSBC). Always ahead of the technology curve, he diverted from economics and joined the company as a computer programmer. Soon after, they had two sons, Matthew and Bradley. Rick came into his own as a father, overflowing with love for his boys. He potty-trained, told stories, taught math, built toys, and provided endless fun, pranks, and laughter. His unwavering moral compass and unconditional support helped shepherd them off into their own fulfilling careers and lives.

All the while, Rick had quickly risen to an executive leadership position at HSBC, and retired early at the age of 50. Never willing to sit idle, Rick started his own company a few years later, focused on accelerating other local businesses and his beloved community of Wheaton. He helped clients launch start-ups and helped investors revitalize various facets of the historic Downtown Wheaton. Along the way, he served on the board of directors for the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Wheaton Lions Club.

Rick was an active member of his church, where he volunteered, helped teach Sunday school, and served on the personnel committee. He further volunteered at Immanuel Presbyterian food pantry, DuPage PADS homeless shelter, Doodlebug Workshop special needs academy, and DuPage Care Center long-term care facility. He served on the board of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans and penned several successful grant proposals. He pioneered the annual Reflections Framed fundraiser to honor and support the community's veterans. In 2017, he received the Illinois Governor's Volunteer Service Award.

Rick changed lives. He recently received a letter from a long-ago friend, who attributed his 20-year sobriety to Rick's encouragement. He inspired another friend to permanently quit smoking. He bailed several people out of jail. He "lent" money freely to anyone who asked, knowing he would never get it back. He opened rooms in his house as a place to stay for friends experiencing hard times.

Rick had no political aspirations. He asked for nothing in return. Rick just loved his people.

For leisure, besides spending time with his family, Rick could be found hand-feeding the chipmunks in his backyard, or training to run yet another Chicago Marathon. You've probably seen him on a Hale St. patio, enjoying a pint of Domaine DuPage and watching the Bears game. But most of all, Rick loved to stroll those downtown sidewalks and start up a conversation with anyone who happened to make eye contact. Wheaton, and the world, won't be the same without him.

Rick is survived by his wife Tammy Erickson, his sons Matthew (Brienna) Erickson and Bradley Erickson (Michaela Payton), his granddaughter Norah Erickson, his sisters Bonita (Brian) Burke and Denise (John) Joy, his twin brother Randall (Dr. Laurel) Erickson, his many beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins, his dear friends Patrick (Jean) McGinnis, Morris (Luna) Mikel, Apurba (Muna) Islam, Robert (Anna) Coronado, and countless others. He was preceded in death by his brothers Daniel Erickson, Douglas Erickson (Tom Haley), and Dennis Erickson, and his parents Alvin and Eleanor Erickson.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Community Church 30W251 Butterfield Rd., Warrenville IL 60555 on Saturday October 18. Service will begin at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a worthy cause, or spend a few hours volunteering in your local community.