Rev. Robert E. Erickson, CSV

Fr. Robert E. Erickson, CSV, who began his career as a teacher at Saint Viator High School and ultimately served in administration at high schools in Kankakee and Springfield, before being named provincial treasurer of the Viatorian Community, has passed away.

Born July 17, 1940, Fr. Erickson died Jan. 15, 2016 at the Alden Estates of Evanston Rehabilitation Center, where he had been recovering from recent surgery. He was 75.

While Fr. Erickson spent much of his career in secondary education and administration, he was well known throughout the Northwest suburbs as a visiting priest at local parishes, leading Bible study groups and retreats. In recent years, he was a regular presider at Masses at Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, St. James Church in Arlington Heights, St. Theresa Church in Palatine, St. Julian Eymard in Elk Grove, and at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Prospect Heights, as well as at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights.

Fr. Erickson pronounced his first vows on Sept. 8, 1959 in Arlington Heights, IL and was ordained a priest on May 20, 1967 in Springfield by Bishop William O’Connor.

He was a math teacher at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, from 1967 to 1973, before he was assigned to Bishop McNamara High School, where Fr. Erickson started as a teacher and eventually served as assistant principal, from 1973 to 1978.

His experience in administration at Bishop Mac, prepared Fr. Erickson to serve as principal at Griffin High School in Springfield, from 1978 to 1988, before it merged to become Sacred Heart Griffin High School, where Fr. Erickson held the title of vice principal and director of development, until 1991.

In 1994, Fr. Erickson returned to the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights, where he was named provincial treasurer of the Province of Chicago, which he held until retiring in 2010.

Fr. Erickson is survived by his brother, Thomas (Joyce) Erickson, Sr. of Springfield, as well as his nephews Thomas (Peggy) Erickson, Jr., Michael (Michele) Erickson, and nieces Sue Ann (Del) Gilpin, and Amy Sue (John) Hood, and 10 great nephews and nieces.

Visitation will take place from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at the Viatorian Province Center, 1212 E. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights. A Mass of Chritian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at St. James Catholic Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.