Dr. Rick Erickson
Dr. Rick Erickson, age 75, of Malone, WI passed away at Froedtert
Hospital on October 31st, 2019.
Rick was born in in Chicago on August 14, 1944 of immigrant parents, Bridgt
(Moran) and Bengt Ivar Erickson. He attended Mt. Carmel High School and Loyola
University. Rick was married to Juliet Stoeberl in Calumet City, Illinois at St.
Victor Catholic Church, on October 13, 1979.
Fr. Walt Krolikowski, S.J. officiated.
After an
eleven year career as Senior Credit Manager and Auditor, with the Standard Oil
Company and the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, Rick turned down an
opportunity for executive training to begin an almost 50 year career as a school
counselor and later, as a school administrator.
He also coached men’s and boys’ basketball for 46 years at all levels
from middle school, high school and college. He was named Coach of the Year in
1984. He was inducted into the “Warrior
Hall of Fame.” He also coached high
school football. Rick was a lifelong
supporter of the Chicago White Sox, “Da Bears”, Blackhawks, and Notre Dame
football.
Rick earned
a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in Educational
Psychology at Loyola University of Chicago, and a PhD in Psychology/Sociology
at Walden University of Minneapolis. He
also completed a Masters Program at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and a
degree in Educational Administration at Marian University. He held National Certification in Street Gang
Analysis and Street Gang Behavior from NGCRC at the University of Chicago. He was a volunteer speaker on drug awareness
and a group leader for the ASTOP program.
His doctoral research in adolescent suicide and grief and dying gave him
the opportunity to exchange research and ideas with others nationally on the
subject. He made many good relationships
with members of several Native American Nations. He was founder of SCADAC, a drug and alcohol
intervention center in Chicago in the late 1960’s. Additionally, Dr. E. was a co-founder, along with
his friend, Lil Foote, of the Young Person’s Grief Support groups at St. Agnes
Hospital. He also co-founded the First
Responder group for deaths involving students in Fond du Lac County.
During the
1960’s, Rick was very active in the Civil Rights Movement and was blessed with
the opportunity to twice participate in events of which Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. was a part, including the incident where, unfortunately, Dr. King was
struck by a rock during a Chicago march.
Rick was a
fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus (Assembly 1211 & Council
664), the Harborland Jaycees, and former President of the North Fond du Lac
School Board, as well as a member of several other civic groups in Chicago and
the Fond du Lac areas. Additionally,
Rick held memberships in the American Association of Suicidology, the Illinois
and Wisconsin Counselor Associations, and the Basketball and Football State
Coaches’ Associations.
He is
survived by his very best friend and his most cherished “jewel”, his wife
Juliet. He is further survived by his
children: Tawny Lynn Mulligan of Michigan,
Sean Erickson of Fond du Lac; five of his eight grandchildren (Nick, Courtney,
Bele, Mac and Diego); five great-grandchildren (Harley, Whittney, Wynter,
Cicora and Brandon); his brother-in-law Gib (Karen) Stoeberl of Ripon; a niece,
Mary; eight nephews: Joseph, Todd
(Michelle), John (Tania), William (Jenny), Jeffrey (Kaley), Daniel, Rev.
Michael (Jeanette) and Matthew (Camille); and his constant companions ChaCha
and Payton.
He was
preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Kara; his brother John and
his wife Barbara; his in-laws Joseph and Vitalis Stoeberl, and his
brother-in-law, Joseph (Fr Julian, OFM Cap) Stoeberl.
Rick wished
to give a special “shout out” to Dr. Stacey Gardiner and her partners in the
Cardiovascular Department at Froedtert Hospital and Medical College for all of
their efforts to care for him.
A visitation
will be held at Zacherl Funeral Home on Friday, November 8th from 3
pm until 7 pm, and Saturday, November 9th at Holy Cross Church in
Mt. Calvary from 9 am until 10:45 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at
11 AM.
Memorials
donations may be made to Holyland Catholic School in Johnsburg or St. Isidore
parish in Mt. Calvary.