Arnold Bernard Erickson

April 10, 1928 - August 6, 2015

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

How do you summarize a life well lived? By accomplishments, by reputation, by your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, or by your faithful service to Our Lord. Of course it is all of these! Hard worker, devoted, faithful, and loving husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa; a great friend, a servant, a builder, a lover of cards, golf & bowling, humble, reliable, honest, loyal, hardworking and on and on. All words used to describe Arnie.

Arnold was born in 1928 to Jotan (John) Bernhard Erickson and his wife Elma (Alma) Hofland and joined his older sister, Bernice. Growing up in the Minneapolis area, he attended the University of Minnesota majoring in mechanical engineering. There he fell in love with a young nursing student, Elaine Newgaard. They were married in 1952 and lived in a Quonset hut in student housing until Elaine finished her nursing degree. Their closest friends were his sister Bernice and her husband, Leigh Paulsen. In 1953, Elaine and Arnie had their first child, Rick. Their young family left Minnesota to relocate to Santa Monica, California in 1954. There he started his lifelong career as an Aerospace Engineer at McDonnell Douglas. He worked for this same company for the next 40 years!

In Santa Monica, they became members at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church where he established for his young family a deep commitment to worshipping and serving the Lord through His church. Many lifelong friends of the Erickson family were made at that church such as Rocky and Jeannie Flatmo. In 1956, their second son Chris, was born and Elaine and Arnie bought their first house in Hawthorne. Soon came their third son Lindsey, in 1957 and they were blessed with their only daughter, Kim in 1958. While in Hawthorne, Elaine and Arnie made more lifelong friends with some of their neighbors on Glasgow Drive. Next door were Bibba and Maurie Larson (one of their daughters, Susan, is the church secretary here at Hope) and down the street were the Skaggs family whose son, Dana, became Chris' lifelong friend and friend of the family. Arnie transferred in 1963 to the new McDonnell Douglas plant in Huntington Beach and the Erickson’s moved to their current home on Sydney Drive.

Soon after moving they joined Westminster Lutheran Church (now Hope) and he remained a committed member of this body for the rest of his life. The Larsons and Skaggs also soon moved to Huntington Beach. He developed so many lifelong friends in Orange County through church, bridge groups, bowling leagues, golf and work that they are impossible to list. At Westminster Lutheran, he served the Lord in almost every possible capacity from lawn care to president (except choir!). He was especially known for his faithful love of ushering. He passed this dedication of serving Christ to each of his children. Elaine and Arnie also were avid bridge players, bowlers and golfers. Many lifelong memories were made at their cabin in Big Bear Lake. Each of his children grew up, married and gave Elaine and Arnie a total of nine grandchildren; Julie, Jeff, Jessica, John, Diane, Shannon, Matthew, Gredal and Michael. There were so many sweet memories of large gatherings at their house for holidays, pool parties, bridge parties, church events, and even weddings. There are fond memories of road trip vacations to Minnesota to keep in touch with their Minnesota family. Sadly, Elaine went to be with Jesus in 1998 after battling cancer for nearly two years.

In 2004, God filled Arnie's life when he married Betty Pereboom. Betty and her late husband, Orville were close friends through playing bridge with Elaine and Arnie. God gave Betty and Arnie eleven wonderful years together and Betty is a cherished member of the Erickson family. Even as his health was failing, his mind was sharp and he could still beat all of us at cards! As a father, his legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We can see so many of his traits in each of them. For example, Arnie especially loved to build things which he learned from his own father, John, who was a machinist and carpenter. His love of building things with his hands was passed on to each of his sons. And they have passed that down to their own sons and on and on it will go.

Indeed a life well lived and one to be celebrated! Arnie was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, hearing these words:

'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23

A Memorial Service in his honor will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at 4:00 pm, at HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 13841 Milton Ave, Westminster, CA 92683.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, 9:00 AM, August 12,2015 at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, California 92683, followed by a graveside service at 10:00AM, under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary.