Richard Thomas Erskine

2021-12-04T20:36:45-06:00
Marine Corp Badge
  • Name: Richard Thomas Erskine
  • Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: March 7, 1924
  • Date of Death: April 15, 2003 (79 years old)
  • Parents: Bruce Erskine and Sarah (Hassler) Erskine
  • High School and Class: Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
  • College: Minnesota School of Business
  • Highest Rank: CPL (Corporal)
  • Branch: Marine Corp
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In:
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: January 16, 1946
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Registration Card (Men born on or after January 1, 1922 and on or before June 30, 1924:
    Name: Richard Thomas Erskine
    Place of Residence: Grand Rapids
    County: Itasca
    State: Minnesota
    Age in Years: 18
    Place of Birth: Grand Rapids
    Date of Birth: March 7, 1924
    State: Minnesota
    Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Riverside Standard Station
    Employer's Name and Address: Bruce Erskine
    Place of Employment or Business: Grand Rapids
    County: Itasca
    State: Minnesota

    World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
    Name: Richard Thomas Erskine
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Age: 18
    Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
    Birth Date: March 7, 1924
    Birth Place: Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Employer: Bruce Erskine
    Weight: 140
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Brown
    Height: 5'8"
    Household Members: Richard Thomas Erskine
    Relationship: Self (Head)


  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Following graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota where he attended the Minnesota School of Business for several years.

    Richard was married to Fay Marks on May 8, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

    He worked for Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids, Minnesota for thirty-three years. In addition to working for the paper company, he was the manager of the Blandin Employees Credit Union for thirty years. He retired from Blandin in 1986.

    Richard was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Club, Pokegama Country Club, Junior Jaycees, Grand Rapids City Band and a state director of the Minnesota League of Credit Unions. He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and working crossword puzzles.

    Richard is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Fay; daughter, Jan Streetar and husband Terry; son, Dr. William Beasley and wife Linda; sister, Sally Oftelie and husband Stan; brother, James Erskine and wife Ruth; and five grandchildren.

    Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Bonny Scherf; and a sister, Bonny Peterson.

    Richard died at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, Minnesota and is buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-C-29-0-6)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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