
DON ERICKSON (October 16, 1921 to December 22, 2021)
Long-time Schuss Ski Patroller, Don Erickson ("Old 2525") passed away December 22, 2021, at the age of 100. Don was a mentor and idol to so many of us and was such a positive influence to our Patrol. The Erickson (and VanTongeren) family are great friends of the Schuss Patrol. His daughter Andrea is a former Schuss Patroller, and his daughter Chris VanTongeren skis with us regularly, and is a Ski Instructor at Schuss, and married to Rick VanTongeren, Director of Schuss Ski School.
Don originally joined NSP in the 1956 - 1957 ski season, and quickly became involved in Patrol Leadership, and Patrol Director, at Mt. Frederick, in Frederick, MI. He joined the Schuss Ski Patrol in 1968. His daughters grew up at Schuss, as did his grandsons, and now his great-grandchildren are all over the hill, all ski racers. Don retired from ski patrol in 2010, culminating in 54 years of service to the National Ski Patrol.
So many great memories. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, as we're booting up, then suddenly a blast on his whistle, and the exclamation - "WE'RE BURNIN DAYLIGHT!" He was always full of prose, lyrics, and poetry - "Hooah, Hooah! Another day, another golden opportunity to make a name for me and my community! Oh lucky me, oh happy I, another day for me to vie!" I had the unique pleasure of driving up north to Schuss for so many Ski Patrol weekends and picking Don up along the way. I'd put the XM radio on the station "40's on 4", and man! He knows the lyrics to every popular song from the 40's era. Quite a personality.
He lived a wonderful life with his dear wife Joanie, and he is reunited with her now. He raised his family the right way and is a Schuss icon. We will always miss "Old 2525". RIP Don Erickson --- Written by Mike Moreen
EXERTS from Don's Obituary
Don was born in a cabin on October 16th, 1921, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to George and Ruth Erickson. The Ericksons then moved to Michigan in the 1920’s and initially settled in Highland Park. At the beginning of the depression, he worked as a “soda jerk” and acquired a paper route through Palmer Park. In 1935 the family moved to Birmingham, where Don graduated from Baldwin high school in 1940. He worked at General Motors in Pontiac after high school. His formal education began in Flint, at General Motors Institute (GMI) now Kettering University, where he completed his mechanical engineering automotive studies after returning home from World War II.
During the war, he served in the US Navy, starting as a Reservist, on the destroyer USS Crane and subsequently as a Machinist Mate (first class) on the USS Kilty, which was a naval destroyer converted to an APD (attack personnel destroyer) landing troops on hostile shores. Don served in the South Pacific 1941-1945, including the consolidation of the Southern Solomon Islands in 1943 through to the end with the Okinawa operation. His naval unit was awarded exceptional merits against Japanese aircraft, shore batteries, and submarines during the South Pacific campaign. After the war and with the completion of his college education, Don stayed at GMI and taught hydraulics.
Don met the love of his life while on a ski trip in Northern Michigan. He married Joan Potts in 1952, moved to Flushing, where they continued to enjoy skiing, golf, and raising a family. Don was employed in Flint as an engineer at GM Fisher Body until his retirement in 1987.
Don enjoyed volunteering and serving others. He volunteered in several local organizations, including the Flushing Lions Club, Flushing PTA, Alzheimer Association, Special Olympics and Trinity Episcopal Church. His deepest passion was for the National Ski Patrol where he served 50 plus years and was awarded the lifetime member in 2014. Don joined the National Ski Patrol (NSPS) in 1957 and was appointed National Patroller #2525 in 1962. He was patrol leader of three Michigan patrols,1958-68 and Northern Michigan 2 Section Chief from 1963-65. He earned several awards throughout the years including Central Division Outstanding Patrolman in 1969, he was Schuss Mt (Shanty Creek Resort) Patrol Awards Advisor from 1980 to 1999 and received the NSPS Distinguished Service Award in 2001. But the thing that described Don best, was the 2005-06 Park-Willis “Everyday Patroller” award, as his service on the Schuss Mt. ski patrol was his passion.
He loved the outdoors and pursued it by spending time gardening, yard work, camping, golfing, downhill skiing and also cross-country skiing. He was blessed with wonderful friends with whom he loved spending time. Don’s greatest love was his wife, Joan, who predeceased him in 2007. He was devoted to his daughters, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren and loved being with all of them.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Jack Erickson. He is survived by his sister Joy Ruth Weber and two daughters Andrea Erickson (his primary caregiver) and Christine (Rick) VanTongeren; along with 2 grandchildren, Todd (Helen) VanTongeren and Eric (Lauren) VanTongeren; 5 great-grandchildren; and nieces Diane Curry, Carol Henley, and Rita Weber.
Long-time Schuss Ski Patroller, Don Erickson ("Old 2525") passed away December 22, 2021, at the age of 100. Don was a mentor and idol to so many of us and was such a positive influence to our Patrol. The Erickson (and VanTongeren) family are great friends of the Schuss Patrol. His daughter Andrea is a former Schuss Patroller, and his daughter Chris VanTongeren skis with us regularly, and is a Ski Instructor at Schuss, and married to Rick VanTongeren, Director of Schuss Ski School.
Don originally joined NSP in the 1956 - 1957 ski season, and quickly became involved in Patrol Leadership, and Patrol Director, at Mt. Frederick, in Frederick, MI. He joined the Schuss Ski Patrol in 1968. His daughters grew up at Schuss, as did his grandsons, and now his great-grandchildren are all over the hill, all ski racers. Don retired from ski patrol in 2010, culminating in 54 years of service to the National Ski Patrol.
So many great memories. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, as we're booting up, then suddenly a blast on his whistle, and the exclamation - "WE'RE BURNIN DAYLIGHT!" He was always full of prose, lyrics, and poetry - "Hooah, Hooah! Another day, another golden opportunity to make a name for me and my community! Oh lucky me, oh happy I, another day for me to vie!" I had the unique pleasure of driving up north to Schuss for so many Ski Patrol weekends and picking Don up along the way. I'd put the XM radio on the station "40's on 4", and man! He knows the lyrics to every popular song from the 40's era. Quite a personality.
He lived a wonderful life with his dear wife Joanie, and he is reunited with her now. He raised his family the right way and is a Schuss icon. We will always miss "Old 2525". RIP Don Erickson --- Written by Mike Moreen
EXERTS from Don's Obituary
Don was born in a cabin on October 16th, 1921, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to George and Ruth Erickson. The Ericksons then moved to Michigan in the 1920’s and initially settled in Highland Park. At the beginning of the depression, he worked as a “soda jerk” and acquired a paper route through Palmer Park. In 1935 the family moved to Birmingham, where Don graduated from Baldwin high school in 1940. He worked at General Motors in Pontiac after high school. His formal education began in Flint, at General Motors Institute (GMI) now Kettering University, where he completed his mechanical engineering automotive studies after returning home from World War II.
During the war, he served in the US Navy, starting as a Reservist, on the destroyer USS Crane and subsequently as a Machinist Mate (first class) on the USS Kilty, which was a naval destroyer converted to an APD (attack personnel destroyer) landing troops on hostile shores. Don served in the South Pacific 1941-1945, including the consolidation of the Southern Solomon Islands in 1943 through to the end with the Okinawa operation. His naval unit was awarded exceptional merits against Japanese aircraft, shore batteries, and submarines during the South Pacific campaign. After the war and with the completion of his college education, Don stayed at GMI and taught hydraulics.
Don met the love of his life while on a ski trip in Northern Michigan. He married Joan Potts in 1952, moved to Flushing, where they continued to enjoy skiing, golf, and raising a family. Don was employed in Flint as an engineer at GM Fisher Body until his retirement in 1987.
Don enjoyed volunteering and serving others. He volunteered in several local organizations, including the Flushing Lions Club, Flushing PTA, Alzheimer Association, Special Olympics and Trinity Episcopal Church. His deepest passion was for the National Ski Patrol where he served 50 plus years and was awarded the lifetime member in 2014. Don joined the National Ski Patrol (NSPS) in 1957 and was appointed National Patroller #2525 in 1962. He was patrol leader of three Michigan patrols,1958-68 and Northern Michigan 2 Section Chief from 1963-65. He earned several awards throughout the years including Central Division Outstanding Patrolman in 1969, he was Schuss Mt (Shanty Creek Resort) Patrol Awards Advisor from 1980 to 1999 and received the NSPS Distinguished Service Award in 2001. But the thing that described Don best, was the 2005-06 Park-Willis “Everyday Patroller” award, as his service on the Schuss Mt. ski patrol was his passion.
He loved the outdoors and pursued it by spending time gardening, yard work, camping, golfing, downhill skiing and also cross-country skiing. He was blessed with wonderful friends with whom he loved spending time. Don’s greatest love was his wife, Joan, who predeceased him in 2007. He was devoted to his daughters, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren and loved being with all of them.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Jack Erickson. He is survived by his sister Joy Ruth Weber and two daughters Andrea Erickson (his primary caregiver) and Christine (Rick) VanTongeren; along with 2 grandchildren, Todd (Helen) VanTongeren and Eric (Lauren) VanTongeren; 5 great-grandchildren; and nieces Diane Curry, Carol Henley, and Rita Weber.