David Erickson

STOW - Dr. David Edward Erickson, a devoted husband, supportive father, and man of quiet integrity, died on January 22, 2024, at the age of 92.

He was born July 15, 1931, in Grand Island, Nebraska. A child of the Depression, he and his family lived in a number of small towns on the Great Plains before settling in Rapid City, South Dakota. David graduated from Rapid City High School in 1948, and in 1952, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the South Dakota School of Mines. To further his studies, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, enrolling at Ohio State University. In 1956, he not only graduated with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, but he also married the love of his life, Elaine Schneider.

David worked until 1964 for Dupont in Wilmington, Delaware, where all three of the Ericksons’ children were born. In 1964, the family moved back to Ohio where he began a nearly 25-year career as a research chemist with General Tire. The family built a house in Stow in 1965, where he lived until 2023.

A lifelong musician, David played trombone in the Cuyahoga Falls Community Band for over 50 years. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Akron’s Trinity Lutheran Church and its choir. He was also an avid birdwatcher, spending many spring mornings following the warbler migrations and taking part in many Christmas bird counts.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Dorice Elaine Schneider Erickson, and by his parents, Lawrence Erickson and Wilma Manley. He is survived by his brother, Jerome Erickson (Betty), of Lincoln, NE; his children, Brock Erickson, of Denver, CO, Bruce Erickson (Ellen Bauer), of White Hall, AR, and Kristin Erickson Powers (Andrew), of Columbine Valley, CO; grandchildren, Nathan Bauer-Erickson (Shannon Bailey), of La Mesa, CA, Megan Bauer-Erickson (Brad Little), of Duluth, MN, and Jonathan Bauer (Jenny), of Little Rock, AR, and great-grandson, Wesley Bauer, of La Mesa, CA.

An informal gathering to remember David will be held with his family on Saturday, March 16, 2024, between 12:30 - 2:30 PM, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow 44224.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio 44224; the Greater Akron Audubon Society, P.O. Box 19190, Akron, Ohio 44319, and Ideastream Public Media, 1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. (REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)