I met Al Erickson in January of 1965 when I was a postoctorate fellow with Professor Harland W. Mossman at University of Wisconsin, Madison Wisconsin. He was also a post-doctorate. He always came early and I came late. I met his wife and three children when they were young boys. Al invited me for dinner and told his kids that an Indian is coming for dinner. Kids were very excited and got dressed in cow boy clothings. He did not tell them that I was from India and not a native indian.  We have had numerous discussions on a variety of topics. I went to Antarctica with Al on two occasions, 1972 and 1974. Besides biology of antarctica, we had great time time travelling together. My wife Dorothy and I visited Al on many occasions in Bellvue/Seattle area. In recent years, we were not in touch. Anyway, I have great memories that I will always cherish. I will miss Al at his departure from this planet.  God bless him and his soul.

I fondly remember the conversations at the Fisheries Research Institute's coffee-room about sports, science, and politics.  We did not always agree but we always greatly enjoyed each other's company.  I miss those days,
sincerely,
Tom

Al Erickson was truly one of a kind. As a mentor he was tough at times on the exterior, but inside he was always very kind. He loved biology, hunting, fishing and sports and was eager to talk about all of them if you were willing to listen. He was a great story teller and often hilarious. Al, you lived your life well and you left your mark - but you have left us all too soon. Thanks for your help to me. You will be missed by many.

This is a very big shock to me. Al and I go way back to Michigan Stat when he was doing his masters on bob cat, and I was try to get a BS in wildlife.  We have been in touch over the years, and he was the one who got me involved in the Antarctic. There are many aspects of Al. He was never boring, never shy about expressing an opinion, and he never held your disagreement as a fault. We have often visited Al,s farm when in the Seattle area, and remembering old times was very special. I admit I mostly at a loss for words as this is most sad and certainly unexpected

Sharing tales around a campfire makes for life-long friends.  You were an exceptional friend and I'll always remember you

Al, your indomitable spirit will be missed by all.

Al was unique  -- he could be a bear on the outside, but was a warm, caring person on the inside. We really miss Al, an old time wildlife ecologist and always a true friend. Loved the many Super Bowl get-togethers and solving local and world problems with Al regularly at his ranch (where he let us deposit our yard debris). And nobody had more stories, from the antarctic to the arctic. Not ready for you to go Al. 

~ Bruce and Marie Miller, Redmond, Washington

So sad to hear another one of our Masters Track competitors has passed on! Al was one of the most friendly gentlemen/competitors I have had the pleasure to meet! His smiling face will be sorely missed! RIP Al! I hope there is a track and field team for you in heaven!

I will really miss Al.  He was an exceptional naturalist and scientist and a great friend.  I will never forget the hunting trip I made to Montana with him--it took pheasant hunting to a completely new (and demanding) level for me, and Al was a great friend to take a road trip with.

The annual superbowl reunion of superannuated UW faculty (usually held at Eagleperch Ranch) will never be the same without Al's humor and bear stories.
We will never see his like again. 

My heart goes out to all of you,

OBITUARY

Albert W. Erickson

23 June, 1929 – 27 October, 2013

Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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