John Clifford "Jack" Erickson Jr.

1933 - 2018

ERICKSON, John Clifford, "Jack" Jr., 84, of State College, Pennsylvania, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, in State College. Born April 26, 1933, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, he was the son of the late John Clifford and the late Margaret Caunter Erickson. On Aug. 4, 1956, he married Barbara A. Barch, who survives. Also surviving are three children, Connie Erickson-Miller, James Richard Erickson and his wife, Linda, and Nancy Dreschel and her husband, William; a sister, Karen Kneifel and her husband, Larry; a sister-in-law, Mary Barch; six grandchildren, Andrew and Rebecca Miller, Benjamin and Nathan Dreschel, Jack Kristofer and Carly Erickson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Stuart Miller; a granddaughter, Amy Miller; and a brother-in-law, James Barch. He was a 1951 graduate of Shaw High School, Cleveland, Ohio. Jack received a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics (1956) and a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering (1962) from Cornell University. Jack worked for NASA Lewis in Cleveland, Therm Advanced Research in Ithaca, New York, Calspan in Buffalo, New York, and at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma. He retired to State College in 1987. Jack was well known for his work in aerodynamics and aviation history, culminating in working for AGARD, a division of NATO that met in Germany, Turkey, Virginia Beach and Toulouse, France. A loving husband, father and grand-father, Jack enjoyed spending time with family, aviation history, classical music, listening to opera, sailing, playing softball, traveling abroad and being involved in the Concert Committee in Tullahoma. Visitation was held on Thursday, March 1, 2018, with a memorial service set for 4 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2018, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College with the Rev. Al Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1375 Martin St. #206, State College, PA 16803 or to the Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook. Koch Funeral Home, State College, Pennsylvania, is in charge of arrangements.