Kyle Matthies
Ellsworth Wallace Erickson
October 1, 1918 - June 27, 2009
My grandfather, Ellsworth Wallace Erickson, passed away Saturday June 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm. Born October 1, 1918, he was 90 years old.
Grandpa was a chemical officer in the 6th division, known as the Red Star division, in WWII, and helped to liberate New Guinea and the Philippines. He was very proud of his service and the fact that the division holds the unchallenged record of 219 days of continuous combat in the Pacific Theater.
I was very fortunate to have shared a great deal with him. He loved going to my hockey games, watching the Angels, and going out to dinner for a glass of heart medicine. I was his barber and took him on nearly monthly visits to Pala. Although I’m not much of a gambler, I will really miss stopping at Denny’s on our way to the casino.
My grandfather was my best friend, and I will deeply miss his presence in my life. Right now it is very painful to think about him being gone, but I will never forget seeing him through the glass at a hockey game, or the smile on his face when I walked through his door to visit.
I love you grandpa and will always remember the love you shared with me.
Having a glass of heart medicine at Olive Garden
Casino trip in Seattle
WWII exhibit at the Boeing Museum
Catching a game at Safeco Field