Richard E. Erickson

May 16, 1926 - Oct. 15, 2018

Richard E. (Dick) Erickson, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on Monday, October 15th, 2018. Dick grew up in Stockton, California alongside his two beloved brothers, Paul and John. As a member of the Navy’s V-12 college training program, he attended John Carroll University as well as the University of Michigan where he met his future wife, Jan. Dick graduated (BS, MBA) from the University of California at Berkeley – where he played quarterback for the Cal Bears, leading them to the 1949 Rose Bowl. Dick and Jan lived in Kensington and El Cerrito prior to moving to Rossmoor. Most recently, Dick has been residing at The Carnelian in Walnut Creek. His family expresses its heartfelt thanks to Katherine Grutas and all of her staff for their loving care to “Mr. Dick” in this last part of his life’s journey.

Dick Erickson spent the majority of his working life on the campus of his beloved CAL. First as the third Executive Director of the California Alumni Association, where he served for 16 years. Then as the first Assistant Chancellor for Development. In appreciation of his service to the University Dick was the recipient of the Glenn Seaborg Award, the Berkeley Citation and the UC Berkeley Foundation Award. Dick was also one of the founding members and the Executive Director of Pappy’s Boys, which exists to support CAL football, and was inducted into the Stockton Sports Hall of Fame. Giving back to his community was also important to Dick as evidenced by his memberships in the Berkeley Rotary Club, the Berkeley Breakfast Club, the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Many of his happiest memories were created through his membership with The Family Club in San Francisco and Woodside. Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Jan. He is survived by his brother Paul N. Erickson of Mill Valley; son John Erickson (Barb) of Walnut Creek; daughters Sally Mehaffey (Bob) of Lafayette, Hildie Brooks (Ken) of Chandler, Arizona and Becky Erickson (Jennifer) of Lakemore, Ohio; and 7 grandchildren.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 9th at Alumni House on the UC Berkeley campus. Memorial gifts may be made to: Cal Alumni Association, Richard E. Erickson Alumni Scholarship, c/o Melina Armstead, 1 Alumni House, Berkeley, CA 94720 or to The Cal Athletics Fund, Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf Endowment Fund Scholarship, 195 Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA 94720-4422.