BRUCE RAYMOND ERICKSON
Bruce Raymond Erickson was born on July 4, 1947, at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, Kansas, to Eugene D. Erickson and Ruth Erickson.
He attended Lindsborg public schools before enrolling at Wichita State University and later the University of Kansas. In 1968, Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. In January 1969, he went on active duty and was assigned to a Security Intelligence Program at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California. He was then deployed to the Naval Support Activity in Da Nang, Vietnam, and later served with Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), Brown Water Navy. After completing his service in May 1970, he returned to Lawrence, Kansas, where he finished his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
In the summer of 1971, Bruce met Mary Joleen Escher, whom he married in December of that year. Bruce began his journalism career at the Lawrence Journal-World in Lawrence, Kansas.
In March 1973, Bruce and Mary joined the Peace Corps and served in Thailand, teaching English to middle school students. They returned to Lawrence in 1975 to pursue graduate degrees, with Bruce earning a Master’s in Journalism and Mary earning a Master’s in English as a Second Language (ESL).
Bruce and Mary were blessed with three children, all born in Lawrence: Bret, Kirsten, and Christopher Erickson.
Over a career spanning 35 years, Bruce and Mary pursued professional careers in higher education. Bruce worked in public relations at several institutions, including Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri; Pan American University (now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) in Edinburg, Texas; California State University, Northridge; Wichita State University; California State University, Fullerton; and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
After retiring in 2006, Bruce and Mary divided their time between Arroyo City, Texas, and Lindsborg, Kansas. In retirement, Bruce enjoyed life between Arroyo City and Lindsborg was an avid fisherman, loved cooking, reading, and enjoyed happy hours with family and friends.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Mary Erickson of Lindsborg, KS; son Bret Erickson (Stephanie) of McAllen, TX; daughter Kirsten Erickson-Sanders (Michael) of Las Vegas, Nevada; son Christopher Erickson (Elizabeth) of La Quinta, California; and five grandchildren: Gage Erickson, Kayce Erickson-Morehouse, Valorie Erickson, Ella Erickson, and Howie Sanders. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Judy Paysour and Barbara Nelson.
A private family service will be held at a later date. To honor his love for dogs, memorial gifts may be made to the ASPCA.
