Craig Allen Erbland

Craig was known for his outgoing personality, tremendous sense of humor, and stellar athletic ability. Craig loved playing golf with his friends at their frequent haunt, River Pines golf club, where he and his group played many spirited rounds of golf before heading to their favorite bar, the Derby. There he and his best friend Peter Medendorp of Racine, Wisconsin, enjoyed many post golf conversations with the group, followed by another of Craig’s favorite pastimes, playing pool until they closed down the place.

Throughout his colorful life, Craig had countless achievements. In his early life, he was a spray-hitting, slick-fielding first basemen and one of the best amateur athletes ever to grace the baseball diamonds of Stark County, OH, where he competed against many all-time greats. Craig was a fierce competitor and in college at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, he was a first team All-American in both baseball and basketball. Drafted out of college by the Cleveland Indians, Craig played well into his twenties, when he decided to pause his career to coach his son’s Little League teams.

Professionally, Craig had a long and storied career as one of the best marketing and sales executives in the country in the outdoor living space, where he made countless friends over the years as he rose to prominence and had many major successes as a top performer, until he retired at age 70.

Everywhere Craig went, he made people smile with his infectious personality and fun demeanor. He touched the lives of countless people with his quick wit, bright smile, and friendly attitude. Simply put, Craig was a character with character.

He will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him, and his legacy lives on in those closest to him. Craig is survived by his son Chris, a comedy writer/producer in Los Angeles; his wonderful grandsons Maxwell, 25, and Sullivan, 23; his sister, Marianne Granter of Cleveland, Ohio; niece, Shelley Erbland and his step-son Brad Anderson of Des Moines. He is preceded in death by his brother Dave Erbland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer Center at Emory.

To offer your condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com.