Obituary of Eugene Frederick Erickson

Gene (Eric) Erickson departed to be with Christ in the early hours of Sunday, February 26,, 2017. He died peacefully at his home in Bellefonte. Born on September 4, 1931, in the small paper mill town of Johnsonburg, PA, he was the son of the late Edward F. Erickson of Johnsonburg and the late Blanche P. Miller, formerly of Williamsburg and Tyrone. Gene married the love of his life, Joyce Olive Fulton in the summer of 1952. She preceded him in death in 2003. Gene graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1949. Upon joining the Navy in 1950, he spent a brief time at the Great Lakes Training Base where he was discharged honorably from the Navy due to an enlarged heart. Afterwards, Gene spent five years working at the paper mill in Johnsonburg. He then had the opportunity to attend Penn State and graduated in 1959 with distinction with a degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). He then worked full time for HRB-Singer in State College while also completing graduate work which culminated in earning his MSEE in 1965. In 1971, Gene began working for Fairchild Hiller Industries in Germantown, MD, where he focused on cutting-edge antenna design and was involved with projects for agencies including NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory. In 1976, Gene accepted a position with the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. He spent the last 20 years of his career with NRL and retired as an RF Section Head in 1996. Gene and Joyce then chose to return to State College in 1999. Gene's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his daughter Pam Woods and husband Mark of Monrovia, MD, and his son Kraig Erickson and wife Jill of Owens Cross Road, AL. Gene (Pop) was blessed with grandchildren Dan Woods and wife Elena, Ashley (Woods) Owen and husband Mike, Kristen Erickson, Geoffrey Erickson, Logan Erickson, and Blake Erickson; and great grandchildren Kaleb and Maddox Owen and Cleo and Max Woods. Gene was a faithful Christian having been baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins. He was a member of the Church of Christ that meets at Hillcrest Avenue in State College and in Altoona. His greatest accomplishments were his deep abiding love for his wife and family, along with his steadfast devotion to Christ. The family would like to thank Tim, Paula, Virginia, Valerie and Stuart Maness for giving Gene the honor of teaching math in their home school from 2004-2013. When he had a debilitating stroke in 2014, they graciously took him in and cared for him with devotion to the end. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 11a.m. at the State College Church of Christ, 405 Hillcrest Ave, State College. A reception will follow. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 270 Walker Dr, Ste 201-B, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.