Huron Leslie Ericson, M.D., age 71, passed away from pulmonary fibrosis Saturday, June 5, 2010, at University Hospital in Madison.
Les was born in Milwaukee, WI, April 30, 1939, son of the late Pierce and LaVaughn (Nee: Smith) Ericson.
He graduated from Shorewood High School in 1957 and DePauw University in 1961. He then attended medical school at Northwestern University where he graduated in 1965. He interned at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital in Minnesota and completed his residency program at Hines-Loyola Hospitals in Chicago in 1970. After residency, he served two years as a major in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. During his second year, he served as an orthopedic surgeon in Vietnam. Before he left for Vietnam, he brought his family to Racine in 1971, and he joined them here in 1972, where he practiced orthopedics until he retired in 2007.
On September 21, 1963, in Milwaukee he married Mary M. Hoye of Kenosha, WI. They have three daughters, Julie, Emily and Katie. Dr. Ericson was a longtime member of the Racine County Medical Society, Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He also was a member of the American College of Surgeons, and an Emeritus member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Les was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he had served on the vestry. He also belonged to the Racine Country Club, where he enjoyed playing tennis and, later, golf with his family and good friends.
His other interests included bridge, travel and, after retirement, cooking and the Harry Potter chronicles. He also loved spending time with his West Highland terrier, Maddie, going for walks, relaxing outside on a lounge chair, or riding in the car with Maddie hanging out the window. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and caring for his patients. In the last six years, a new happiness came to his life in the form of his grandchildren, Beth, Anna, Ryan and Will. They fondly referred to him as "Pago" and loved spending time with him whether reading books or going to the park. The Ericsons most recent family trip was a visit to Disney World in April where he shared in his grandchildren's excitement and a ride on Dumbo with Ryan. He will be dearly missed by all.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Mary; three daughters, Julie A Ericson, M.D. of Chicago, IL, Emily (David) Elewany of Winnetka, IL, Katie (David) Ziegenhorn of Waukesha; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Ryan Elewany, Anna and Will Ziegenhorn; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Edward and Linda Ericson of Atherton, CA, Roy and Rhonda Ericson of Waukesha, Judy Barden of Kenosha, Pauline Hoye of Mentor, OH; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Jack Barden, Jack Hoye, and Robert and wife, Harriet Hoye.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 614 Main St., with Reverend Liz Simmons and Rev. Travis DuPriest officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 5-7:30 p.m. Memorials to
Racine Healthcare Network, 904 State Street, Racine, WI 53404;
Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Suite F #227, 1659 Branham Lane, San Jose, Ca 95118-5226; or
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 614 Main Street, Racine, WI 53403 have been suggested.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
