Richard Erickson

August 24, 1923 - April 8, 2012

Erickson, Richard C. 88 Aug. 24, 1923 April 08, 2012 "Dick" was born to Albert and Alice Erickson and raised in Roberts County, Wilmot, S.D., farm country during the "Great Depression." He is survived by his wife, Myrtis; daughter, Marilyn Erickson; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Shari Erickson, all reside nearby; along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Richard graduated from high school as valedictorian in 1941. He had a "run-in" with Myrtis Seal at the draft board during WWII, which led them to marriage on April 28, 1946. He operated sonar equipment, as a "petty" officer, in the Navy from 1943 through 1946 and learned enough electronic engineering to build one of the first television sets anyone in Cornelius had ever seen! He followed his mother, aunts and uncles to the Northwest after the war. He learned carpentry work from his stepfather, Sam Moon, and went on to be a successful general contractor and excavator for site work development until the age of 54. The end of his working career he spent semiretired as a Washington County building inspector, a lawn turf farmer and gardener. "Dick" enjoyed traveling all over the country and camping in their Argosy Airstream trailer, hunting, fishing and trail riding with his little string of ponies. He was known as the guy to beat at the Elks Club and billiard halls. He was a challenging chess player, played golf and was a pretty good dancer! Richard kept up with current events daily, watching CNN and reading the newspaper. He was an avid crossword solver, loved to play Scrabble, pinochle and whist. Richard C. Erickson, 88, peacefully passed away at his home in Hillsboro, on Easter Sunday. A memorial to celebrate his life will be held for friends and family Friday, April 20, 2 p.m. at Fir Lawn Memorial Center, 1070 West Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123