- Name: Dr. Vernon "Vern" Douglas Erickson
- Location of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: March 8, 1927
- Date of Death: November 3, 2016 (89 years old)
- Parents: John Erickson and Emmy (Okeson) Erickson
- High School and Class: Attended Bancroft Elementary in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Minneapolis Central High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- College: 1952 - University of Minnesota Medical School
- Highest Rank:
- Branch: Navy
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In:
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
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Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served April, 1945 (Muster date) Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Divison, Fleet Marine Force, C/O Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California July, 1945 (Muster Date) Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, C/O Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California October, 1945 (Muster Date) Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Sixth Marine Division, C/O Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California January, 1946 (Muster Date) Headquarters Company, Twenty-Second Marines, Sixth Marine Division, C/O Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
Vernon served briefly in the United States Navy at the end of World War II.
Information from World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
Name: Vernon Douglas Erickson
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 18
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: March 8, 1927
Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 11, 1945
Registration Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA
Employer: Student
Weight: 182
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: 5' 11"
Next of Kin: John Erickson
Household Members: Vernon Douglas Erickson
Relationship: Self (Head)
- Wars Involved:
World War II - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Vern did his medical interning at Cleveland General Hospital with a residency at University of Minnesota Hospital.
With his bride, Carole Erickson, he moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 1954 where he joined the Grand Rapids Clinic, practicing general medicine until he retired, often caring for families through several generations.
An energetic man, he dove enthusiastically into all the opportunities Grand Rapids afforded for service and fun. Vern loved to sing. He sang in the University of Minnesota Chorus, the Community Presbyterian Choir, a number of men's choruses, musicals with Grand Rapids Players and Showboat, and the rollicking family sing-along in the car.
A passionate catalyst and advocate for growth of the arts in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, he provided leadership to the Reif Center, Grand Rapids Players, KAXE and the Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program, where he was especially interested in expanding arts opportunities for young people.
He was honored as the 2006 Citizen of the Year by the Herald Review.
Over the years he served as an Elder and Trustee of the Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Vern loved the outdoors. He put thousands of miles on his bicycle, he skied every hill and mountain he could find, he canoed, hiked, golfed and visited a long list of America's national parks. Vern loved to travel. He and Carole traveled abroad many times, especially thrilled by the experience of attending the Innsbruck Winter Olympics in 1964.
Vern loved people. Nothing made him happier than riding his bike to visit his friends, former colleagues and patients. He was a well-known sight at high school sporting events, concerts, and the morning men's coffee group at Arby's.
Preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Bob, Oliver and Jim; sister Mildred Harris, and his son, Stephen Paul.
Vern is survived by his wife, Carole, his children, Marcia Noebels and husband, Jeffrey; Pamela Corson and husband, Randall, and Glen and wife Martha; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Vern died at Grand Village Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and he was cremated. The cemetery is Lakeview Crematory of Coleraine in Coleraine, Minnesota. - Tribal Affiliation(s):