Roy Louis Erickson

Roy Lewis Erickson, 79, passed peacefully in his sleep on January 3rd, 2023, with Parkinson's disease in Chandler, Arizona. He was a beloved father, grandfather "Pop-Pop", brother, and friend, a humanitarian. He was proactive in life and didn't let anything inhibit his curiosity, convictions, or consideration of others. He was an avid learner, reader, and traveler who used his wisdom to impact the world around him in the most powerful ways he could. Later in life, he was a model of positivity while continuing to adapt to the reality of life with Parkinson's Disease.

Roy is survived by his sister Mary, brother Russell, daughter Amy Miano, (wife of Vickie), daughter Katie, son Gregory, and his former wife and lifelong friend, Carolyn (Raschke) Erickson as well as grandchildren Rebecca, Sean, Alex, Christian, Bella, and Colby, and great grandchild Luka. Roy's twin sister Nancy and his beloved son Eli preceded him in death.

The son of Ivar Erickson and Anna May (Palow) Erickson, along with his siblings were raised on a farm near Woodhull, Illinois. Roy graduated from AlWood High School and attended Western Illinois University as well as Blackhawk College. In 1967 he enlisted in the Navy where he taught underwater mine warfare in Charleston, South Carolina. He was honorably discharged with rank of First-Class Petty Officer after two years of active-duty service. For 21 years Roy worked as an industrial machine operator for International Harvester at the Rock Island, Illinois Farmall plant. While working there, he started a hog operation on a 4- acre farm 7 miles east of Geneseo, Illinois where he raised 2500 hogs from farrow-to-finish annually. He developed and patented an advanced, computerized system for feeding livestock and eventually gave up factory work to produce hogs full-time. In 1999 he began work as an over-the-road truck driver covering the entire lower 48 states. During this time Roy drove over 665,000 miles. Over the years he continued to create ingenious inventions to address real life problems, including a functional log splitter, a system that stored fireplace heat in water reservoirs to redistribute heat efficiently, and a special rearview truck mirror to improve safety. When Roy retired to Arizona in 2006, he joined the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation where he sang bass in the choir and was active in various social justice issues including climate change and Black Lives Matter. He enjoyed hosting informal discussions after watching social justice documentaries.

Roy's humble yet passionate nature will be missed for his insightful conversations and ability to listen. His thoughtfully chosen words and gentle wisdom impacted many lives. His children wish to express their gratitude for instilling in them a holistic approach to life and imparting in them their love of learning, appreciation of the arts, culture, science, and spirituality.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Chandler, Arizona on February 25th, 2023, at 2:00 pm (MST). Contact Mary Erickson (m.erickson@asu.edu) to receive a zoom link to the service. A graveside service will be held at the Galva Cemetery in Galva, Illinois on May 30th, 2023, at 1:00 pm.