Robert C. Erickson passed away suddenly on September 13, 2017 at the age of 70.  He will be remembered well  by his loving wife of 47 years, his family and his many lifetime friends. Bob was a man of many talents and interests, Triumph sports cars, cooking, fishing, travel and a musician.  On a trip to New Orleans he drove his Triumph 250 over the Lake Ponchatrain bridge 100 mph.  I was angry and told him he was a   "mane- e-a-call" driver.  Bob turned to me calmly and said, "Honey, it's ma- ni-e-cal".  You had to laugh -his vocabulary was obviously superior to mine.  I thought he couldn'the drive but I could not speak properly. Cooking and food was also an interest of his, which sometimes meant that  you had to wait to eat until Bob took a photo of your plate.  He took copious photos of food  and sent them  to everyone. The only time I listened to his every word was when we went on 2 week trips to the Boundry Waters  Canoe Area near Ely, Minnesota.  I knew Bob was trained to survive in a wilderness area and I would be alright if I listened to him.   He would keep me safe.  He always did. His adventurous nature took him to many places, England, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska, from the east coast to the west and of course Vietnam.  He made friends no matter where he went.  People were drawn to him with his quick wit and sense of humor.  I fell for those beautiful blue eyes of his.  Bob made everyone feel good about themselves. Clarinet and saxaphone were the main instruments he played but he also toyed with the flute, harmonica, and was thinking about the banjo which would have pleased his mom, now long gone. I  was Bob's first "groupie" when he played with "Bobby Woods and the Sounds of Soul".  Later he would keep his "lips loose" with a 19 piece big band that played nice gigs for free. Robert Erickson was a kind and generous husband of 47 years even though he would tell people that he didn't "count those 5 years his wife was in prison".  Bob's comedic delivery and timing was "spot on". "Uncle Bob" was loved and enjoyed by his family - you could always count on Uncle Bob to be conversant, witty and entertaining.  He brought life to the party and was always welcome at family gatherings. Bob as a friend brought people together.  He would organize get togethers of grammer school friends, high school friends and of course the 173rd Airborne Brigade Separate.  He was a Commander of the DAV Chapter 5.  He was in charge of the registration for the 1988 173rd Airborne Reunion in Chicago which received quite a bit of attendance and attention.  (How many did get arrested repelling off the back of the Blackstone Hotel)? The life long friends of this warm and caring man have stayed close.  Helping each other, laughing together, sharing stories, food, and good and bad times.  They are now helping me and his family.  What better tribute to Bob than this? Robert Erickson saw the good in people and life and even in dark moments he would find a way to laugh or joke about it.  Bob always had a good time, enjoyed life and would want us all  to do that for him.  Remember Bob and the many good memories you may have of him.  Bob always said, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story".  Be story tellers. Robert C. Erickson is survived by his wife Penny, sisters Barbara Raz (Gerald), Janet Erickson, Edna Diane Campanile (Sal) and many nieces and nephews and their children.  He was preceded in death by his mother Verna Erickson, father Eugene Erickson and brother Edward Erickson.

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