Erik Floris Vandermel

He was born in Washington, DC to Margaret and Marinus Vandermel. Erik grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs and also lived during his teen years in India where his father served as head of operations there for the World Bank. It was during these early years that he developed a passion for travel and especially ocean liners that stayed with him his whole life.

Erik attended Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC and graduated from the University of Maryland. He worked in a variety of IT positions before beginning a successful career as a Project Executive for IBM in the Washington, DC area. In 2005 he left Washington and relocated to Raleigh, NC, to raise his young daughters in this beautiful environment. At the same time, he left IBM and launched a private auto finance company with his business partner.

Erik was married for 16 wonderful years to his wife, Kelly. Together, their greatest joy was always found in their daughters, Justine and Julia. As a family they traveled extensively and enjoyed their boat on Falls Lake. Erik was at every soccer game, skating competition, swim meet, dance recital, vocal recital and theatrical performance supporting his girls. Erik also was an auto enthusiast and took pride in an ever changing fleet of American and European sports cars.

In addition to his wife and daughters, Erik is survived by his mother; his brother, Theo (Lucy) and their children Katie and Jackie, all of New Jersey; and his nephew, Max Butterfield of Lawrence, KS; as well as numerous friends who will miss him deeply.

A gathering to celebrate Erik’s life will be held Monday, October 15th, from 5-7pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Rd. in Raleigh, (919) 876-6900.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Erik’s name to the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences and memories may be made through www.brownwynne.com.