Donald Alan Ericson of Poulsbo, Wash., died Aug. 27, 2010, at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton after a mercifully short illness. He was 84 years old. He died the day before his 62nd wedding anniversary.
Don was born May 28, 1926, in Spokane, Wash., to Eric R. Ericson and Ethie (Turner) Ericson. Ethie died eight months later of meningitis, and his father married Marita McGinnis in 1929. Don was their only child, and he was a much-loved child.
Don graduated from North Central High School in Spokane in 1944. He was accepted into the V-5 Aviation Cadet program, part of the Naval Officer Training Corps, after graduation and underwent primary flight training in Livermore, Calif., where he soloed in a biplane. Don left the Navy and joined the Naval Reserve in 1946, retiring 20 years later with the rank of lieutenant commander.
Don received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in economics and then studied law at Gonzaga University, graduating in 1952. He joined the downtown Spokane law firm of Richter & Wimberley in 1962, and became a partner in 1965. Richter, Wimberley & Ericson occupied the seventh floor of the Old National Bank Building for years before moving across the Spokane River to the Park Center Building.
Don married Beverley MacDonald Ericson in 1948 at First Presbyterian Church in Spokane. They met at the behest of Don’s mother, who met her future daughter-in-law while Beverley was working at the Old National Bank Building. Don’s father was a vice president at the bank.
Don and Beverley raised their four children in Spokane, and then moved to Poulsbo in 1999 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They created a fresh life in Poulsbo in a home overlooking Liberty Bay. Don did pro bono work for Kitsap County Legal Services, they joined a photography club, were active in the League of Women Voters, and made new friends and became reacquainted with old friends. They were members of Central Kitsap Presbyterian Church. Don was also a longtime volunteer with the YMCA and the Presbyterian Church, serving most recently on the church’s General Assembly Nominating Committee.
Don was a rare man. He had a formidable intellect, but he didn’t use it to dominate anyone, and he had a profound emotional intellect, but he didn’t use it to selfishly manipulate anyone. He was an optimist without qualifications. He was a gentleman and a gentle man who often drove the long way to work so he could enjoy the scenery and take photographs along the Spokane River. He adored his family and he was the person we all looked to for wise guidance.
In addition to his wife of the family home, Don leaves behind four children, Bruce and Eric of Seattle, Ellen of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and Kirk of Olympia. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Mikelle and Nick of Seattle, Eric of Toronto, Daniel and Emily of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Alexander and Ryan of Olympia. He’s also survived by three daughters-in-laws, April and Marna of Seattle, and Catherine of Olympia, and one son-in-law, David Kupp of Guelph.
Services will be Thursday, Sept. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1187 Wyatt Way NW, Bainbridge Island. Reception will follow at church fellowship hall . Cook Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
