Edward Walter Erickson

Edward Walter Erickson

Raleigh

Edward Walter Erickson died peacefully and with dignity on November 25, 2015, in the home of his daughter and holding the hand of his loving wife, Ann.

Born in Warren, PA in 1936, Ed was an undergraduate at Penn State, where he met and married the love of his life, Ann Bright, in 1958. After graduating from Penn State, Ed earned a doctorate from Vanderbilt and joined the economics faculty at NC State, where he was a professor for over 40 years, serving as the director of the Center for Economic and Business Studies and traveling extensively to promote faculty ties throughout the world.

As an energy economist, Ed served on the editorial board of The Energy Journal from 1981-87 and consulted international energy producers and local utilities. One of his proudest achievements was working to deregulate natural gas, and he liked to say he "made the world safe for big oil." He was a founding director of Tax Analysts, on the board of directors of CESI in Raleigh, and a principal in ICF, an international consulting firm.

The Erickson family lived in Cameron Park for over forty years, and Ed was a proud member of the Players Retreat Hall of Fame. After retirement, Ed and Ann moved to Pine Knoll Shores. As head of the Beacon's Reach Masters Association, Ed worked tirelessly for beach re-nourishment and enhanced public beach access.

Ed is survived by his wife, Ann; children Katie Erickson Boone and Alex Erickson of Raleigh and Sarah Erickson-Zumkeller of Germany; and grandchildren Elliott and Riley Erickson of Atlanta and Sydney Zumkeller. He has many wonderful nephews and nieces. Ed valiantly battled cancer for six years with the help of Duke Cancer Center. He was well cared for by Jackson Nyasimi, who will always be part of the family.

A celebration of Ed's life will be held Sunday, December 13 at 4 pm at the NC State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. The family suggests that donations be made to the NC State Foundation in honor of Ed Erickson.