Robert (Bob) Emil Erickson, 87, of Lincoln, passed away on Sunday (3/7/10) following Hospice Care at Tabitha Health Care. He was born on November 2, 1922 in Lane, SD. to Emil and Ethel (Safford) Erickson. Bob graduated from Lane High School.

Survivors: Wife: Esther Erickson Sister & Spouse: Donna and Mac Richards, Rapidan Town, MN Brother-In-Law: Lauren Thompson (husband of Irene) Wessington Springs, CO Children & Spouses: Linda Erickson & Bill Tucker, Salida CO; Douglas and Carol Erickson, Kearney NE; Renise and Don Rosenboom, Ashland NE; and Doreen and Rick Morton, Lincoln NE. Grandchildren: Kyle Stoner, Matthew Erickson, Kelly Rezac, Alexis & Thomas Aschenbach, Tyler Morton, Nicole Morton, Victoria Rosenboom Great-Grandson Eric Rezac Life-long friend Lowell Endahl & wife Vronna, Alexandria,VA join in-laws, nieces and nephews in their grief. Preceded in death by: Parents & two sisters, infant Patricia Erickson and Irene Thompson.

Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy January 7, 1941 while living in Alpena, SD and trained at The Great Lakes Naval Station and later Gunner’s Mate Training in San Diego CA. The ships he served on included USS Enterprise, USS Henry T. Allen, USS Hawkins, USS Tolman, and the USS Earle. The Enterprise was in the South Pacific on it’s way to Pearl Harbor, when delayed and 50 miles outside of the harbor when the attack occurred. The medals he received included the American Defense, WWII Victory, Asiatic-Pacific with 7 stars, American Area, and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one star. He was proud of his service to his country and honored by the appreciation shown by everyone during his July 2008 Lone Eagle Honor Flight to visit his WWII Memorial in D.C.

Robert retired from farming in S.D and moved to NE in 1958, purchased a Dairy Queen in Beatrice NE and worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. He worked for the Lincoln Public Schools as a carpenter, and then later independently as a member of Carpenter’s Union 1055. He also was a member of Legion Post #3, Lincoln VFW, Bethany Lions Club, and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church serving as a former council member. Robert loved spending time with his family, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, bowling, watching sports, gardening, and traveling. By volunteering to work with Habitat for Humanity and Carol Joy Holling projects he shared his talent for building with others and “measured twice, cut once.”

Funeral Services: 11 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2010, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1015 Lancaster Lane, Lincoln.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.