Obituary of Richard Stewart Erichson

Richard (Rick) Stewart Erichson, 76, born on December 17, 1947, in Borger, Texas, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on April 29, 2024 in Lodi, California. Rick was a beloved husband of Noella, a devoted father to George Zins, and his wife Jolie, and Heidi Zins Ellinger and her husband Dave. He was a cherished grandfather to Georgie Zins, Benny Zins, Olivia Zins, and Bradley Ellinger, who affectionately called him "Grandpa Boo." 

Rick is also survived by two daughters, their spouses, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter from his former marriage to Sheila Erichson. They include Jana Cooper, and her husband Kirt, their two children Anthony Cooper, and his wife Eli, Kylie Cooper, great-granddaughter Evalynn Cooper, and Julie Erichson and her two children, Nickolas and Chloe Erichson.

Rick was predeceased by his father LT. USN Retired Harry Richard Erichson (d. 2002) and his mother Medilia Virginia Erichson (d. 1989).  

Rick’s father, Harry, proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 32 years. Harry’s career took the family on assignments to San Diego, Hawaii, and Vallejo, CA. Rick attended Vallejo High School where he played JV and Varsity football. He then pursued his higher education at CSU, Sacramento, where he played football for the Hornets. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance), he began his distinguished banking career spanning over 40 years. His illustrious tenure with Bank of America, from 1975 to 1998, encompassed several managerial assignments throughout California where he served as Senior Vice President before relocating to Lodi, CA to join the team at F&M Bank of Central California. He proudly served as the Senior Credit Officer and Executive Vice President from 1998 to 2015.  Rick’s witty and spontaneous personality created treasured memories with his F&M family, which held a very special place in his heart.        

A man of adventure and diverse interests, Rick was a loyal football fan, with a life-long devotion to the Oakland, now Las Vegas Raiders. He enjoyed scuba diving adventures in the Caribbean, Monterey, and Hawaii. Boating vacations were enjoyed with family and great friends at Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, along the Colorado River, and on the Pacific Ocean. He and his friends enjoyed long motorcycle trips. Rick had a passion for cars, new and classic, particularly corvettes, for which he had acquired 13 throughout the years. Rick and his son, George, enjoyed restoring a 1953 Ford pickup together. His hobbies included model trains and tropical fish tanks. He took great joy in watching his grandchildren's baseball, basketball, softball, and football games. More recently, he cherished vacationing with loved ones and dear friends at Buck's Lake, and Lake Siskiyou. After retiring from his rewarding career in banking, Rick enjoyed getting together for outings with close friends. He will be forever remembered for his contagious humor and fun-loving nature.  

To honor Rick, he will be remembered at Funeral services on May 17, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Anne's Catholic Church located at 215 W. Walnut St. in Lodi, CA, followed by his internment at Mount Vernon Memorial Park at 1:00 pm in Fair Oaks, CA.  A reception will follow at 2:00 pm at ‘Riley’s on Sutter’ located at 702 Sutter St., Ste. M in Folsom, CA. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Lodi Funeral Home located at 725 So. Fairmont Avenue, Lodi, CA. and Mount Vernon Memorial Park, located at 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA. In tribute to his memory, contributions can be made to www.parkinson.org.

Rick courageously battled the debilitating progression of Parkinson’s Disease with humor and grace for over 18 years. Rick's kindness, devotion to family, his fun-filled humor, and enduring love will forever be cherished by all who knew him.