Thomas (Tom) David Erickson, 91, died on October 29, 2024, in Pleasant Prairie, WI, leaving the love of his life, Carolyn Joy Erickson (Nee Roush) to continue what they had started. Tom was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 30, 1932. His father was John G. Erickson, and his mother was Rebecca M. Erickson (Nee Aumuller) He had two sisters, Jean B. Erickson, who married Thomas H. Watson, and Ruth M. Erickson, who married George Hindle.
Tom had memories of the WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, both of these last two had a strong influence on his enlisting in the U.S. Army Security Agency. He spent 28 months in Europe mostly with the 328th Communication Reconnaissance Company, which was located in Bad Aibling, Bavaria at the foot hills of the Bavarian Alps. The beauty of these mountains changed Tom’s career interests to geology. He was released three months early, in Jan 1955, to return to college to pursue this new goal. Tom graduated from Brooklyn College with a BA in Geology in September 1957. He continued his education at THE Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in September 1957. He graduated with an MS in Geology in 1959.
In November 1959 he started working for Owens-Corning Fiberglas in Glass Technology Department located in Newark, Ohio.
Tom met the love of his life, Carolyn J. Roush, an elementary school teacher, on a blind date in January 1960.They were married at Cheshire Baptist Church in October 1960. Their first son, David S. Erickson, was born in September 1962 in Newark, Ohio. Their second son, Karl D. Erickson was born in Newark, Ohio in March 1965.
Tom received his Ph.D in High Temperature Mineralogy in 1970. He applied his knowledge to help design glass compositions that were less air polluting to satisfy new EPA requirement form Federal laws and regulations. Tom took early retirement in 1989 from Owens Corning and worked a few years at Libby Owens Ford/Pilkington in Toledo, Ohio.
Tom and Carolyn devoted many years to RVing across the United States ultimately becoming snow-birds after settling in Florida for the winters. During their trips west they found Voyager RV Resort where they both were taught by very helpful teachers’ new skills, including lapidary, silversmithing, painting with oils, acrylics and watercolors, and wood carving. They both wrote their life stories and started a lifelong journey investigating their genealogy.
Tom is survived by his soulmate, Carolyn, and two sons and their families. David resides in Lewis Center, Ohio with his wife Mary (nee Botts). Their daughter, Jennifer, her husband Adam Diehl and their three children, Claire, Luke and Owen. Karl resides in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin with his wife Jodi (nee Lehner). Their children include Kayci Krucas (Keith Duberstein), Thomas Erickson and Lillian Erickson. Tom also has a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, at 11:00AM at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church (8760 37th Avenue Kenosha) Visitation with the family will be at the church from 10:00AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ELCA Outreach Center, 6218 26th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53143.
