Robert A. Erickson
Robert A. Erickson

February 18, 1929 ~ June 14, 2016
Age 87 of Forest Lake My friends, I have left this world on June 14, 2016, after 87 years of a full and wonderful life. God willing, I have joined my dad Raymond, mother Agnes, and my brothers Ray, Harold, Donald, and Larry, as well as a host of relatives and friends who went on ahead of me. I leave behind my wife of 34 years, Katy, as well as three children by a previous marriage, Robert Jr., Kevin, and Lisa, I also leave many grandchildren, some direct descendants, and some by marriage, Brian, Christine, Justin, Laura, Kayla, Chelsey, and Jason. One brother survives, Russell of White Bear Lake. I was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on February 18, 1929. I attended Menomonie schools through my junior year in high school. At the end of my junior year in 1946, I joined the Navy and served for 22 months. At the end of my enlistment I returned to Menomonie and finished my senior year, graduating in 1949. I was recalled into the navy in May of 1951, and served for 16 months until September of 1952. At the end of that term, I returned to Menomonie and enrolled in what is now the University of Wisconsin at Stout, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree (1956), Master of Science Degree in Industrial Education (1958), and a Master of Science Degree in Guidance Counseling (1960). Beginning in the fall of 1956, I spent the next 13 years in various teaching assignments in Wisconsin at schools in Fondulac, Augusta, Walworth, and New Richmond. My final three years were as the high school principal in New Richmond. I resigned as principal of New Richmond High School at the end of the school year in 1969 and took a job in the Education Department of the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater, MN. I held a number of positions with the Minnesota Department of Corrections for the next 24 years, the last nearly 13 years as Warden of the prison at Stillwater. I retired from my position as warden in February of 1993, and went home to Our Place as Katy and I call it, on Forest Lake. We both worked very hard to re-model, and re-landscape an old place, to make it into something we are both very proud of. As a lifelong Packer Backer, I am especially fond of my second floor room decorated in green and gold with Packer memorabilia, a pool table, a bar, and television. There will be a memorial service at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake, on Saturday June 25th at 3PM, with a visitation from 1PM until time of service. There will be no viewing as I chose to be cremated. Please come if you can, but if you cant thats ok too. My family and I want to be in your thoughts. Interment will be at St. Anns Cemetery, Turtle Lake, WI at a later date. Please do not send flowers or memorials, but rather I would prefer you would support two groups who cannot help themselves, ie., children and animals. Finally all of my life I have been blessed with wonderful family, friends and professional associates. I have also been blessed with a desire to try to help others in any way I can, and have spent my public and private life trying to do that. When you inject yourself into the lives of others, sometimes it works for the best, and sometimes it doesnt. To those whom I may have offended, I apologize and ask you forgiveness. To those I may have helped, the pleasure was all mine and I ask only that you pass it onto someone else who needs a helping hand. I bid you Fond Adieu - See you later.
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February 18, 1929 ~ June 14, 2016
Age 87 of Forest Lake My friends, I have left this world on June 14, 2016, after 87 years of a full and wonderful life. God willing, I have joined my dad Raymond, mother Agnes, and my brothers Ray, Harold, Donald, and Larry, as well as a host of relatives and friends who went on ahead of me. I leave behind my wife of 34 years, Katy, as well as three children by a previous marriage, Robert Jr., Kevin, and Lisa, I also leave many grandchildren, some direct descendants, and some by marriage, Brian, Christine, Justin, Laura, Kayla, Chelsey, and Jason. One brother survives, Russell of White Bear Lake. I was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on February 18, 1929. I attended Menomonie schools through my junior year in high school. At the end of my junior year in 1946, I joined the Navy and served for 22 months. At the end of my enlistment I returned to Menomonie and finished my senior year, graduating in 1949. I was recalled into the navy in May of 1951, and served for 16 months until September of 1952. At the end of that term, I returned to Menomonie and enrolled in what is now the University of Wisconsin at Stout, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree (1956), Master of Science Degree in Industrial Education (1958), and a Master of Science Degree in Guidance Counseling (1960). Beginning in the fall of 1956, I spent the next 13 years in various teaching assignments in Wisconsin at schools in Fondulac, Augusta, Walworth, and New Richmond. My final three years were as the high school principal in New Richmond. I resigned as principal of New Richmond High School at the end of the school year in 1969 and took a job in the Education Department of the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater, MN. I held a number of positions with the Minnesota Department of Corrections for the next 24 years, the last nearly 13 years as Warden of the prison at Stillwater. I retired from my position as warden in February of 1993, and went home to Our Place as Katy and I call it, on Forest Lake. We both worked very hard to re-model, and re-landscape an old place, to make it into something we are both very proud of. As a lifelong Packer Backer, I am especially fond of my second floor room decorated in green and gold with Packer memorabilia, a pool table, a bar, and television. There will be a memorial service at Roberts Family Life Celebration Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake, on Saturday June 25th at 3PM, with a visitation from 1PM until time of service. There will be no viewing as I chose to be cremated. Please come if you can, but if you cant thats ok too. My family and I want to be in your thoughts. Interment will be at St. Anns Cemetery, Turtle Lake, WI at a later date. Please do not send flowers or memorials, but rather I would prefer you would support two groups who cannot help themselves, ie., children and animals. Finally all of my life I have been blessed with wonderful family, friends and professional associates. I have also been blessed with a desire to try to help others in any way I can, and have spent my public and private life trying to do that. When you inject yourself into the lives of others, sometimes it works for the best, and sometimes it doesnt. To those whom I may have offended, I apologize and ask you forgiveness. To those I may have helped, the pleasure was all mine and I ask only that you pass it onto someone else who needs a helping hand. I bid you Fond Adieu - See you later.
Dear Katy and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I worked with Bob at the Department of Corrections. I will always think of him as a calm and kind man who truly cared about the offenders in his care at MCF-Stillwater. In his years as an educator and as warden, he made a difference in so many lives, including mine. Wishing you peace and comfort during this sad time.
Julie Angeles
My condolences to the Erickson family. I had the pleasure of working for him for a number of years at Stillwater & remember him as a genuine nice guy. His generosity & great sense of humor will be missed by many. “God Speed” Dennis Thompson Park Rapids,Mn
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Robert’s military service to our nation.