Richard Ames Erickson, 98, of Spearfish, SD died peacefully in his home on January 23, 2022 surrounded by family. 

Dick was born in Bryant, South Dakota to Ray and Mabel (Arneson) Erickson.  His family moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he graduated from Washington High School. He married Frances Boyd in 1943; they honeymooned in the Black Hills. In 1944 he graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a degree in physics. Dick then joined the Navy and taught radio to Naval personnel through the end of World War II. In 1952 he received a Ph.D. in physics from Texas A&M University after doing research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Dick spent the final 40 years of his career as a professor of physics at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Fran and Dick loved to travel and enjoyed camping through all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. They took trips to South America and Africa.  Dick’s last trip hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon was at age 78 with Fran and four grandchildren.  As ‘snow birds’ they spent their winters in Sun City, AZ and summers in Spearfish, SD. Fly-fishing was a favorite pastime. Fran and Dick chose to live in Spearfish after retirement because “Spearfish is the best place in the world.”

Dick took an active role in community life. In Ohio, he was a long-time member of the University Community Association. In South Dakota, he took great interest in the Spearfish Canyon Preservation Trust and was instrumental in helping the city of Spearfish acquire a large portion of Lookout Mountain. He and Fran were members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, American Lutheran Church of Sun City, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spearfish.

Dick is survived by his children: Donna Erickson (Spearfish), David and Kay Erickson (Spearfish), Jeanne Erickson and Paul Mahoney (Columbia MO), Kris and Scott Stewart (Spearfish), seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as dear cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances Boyd Erickson, sisters Nadene Weber, Phyllis Jacobsen, Muriel Sherwood, and brother Grant Erickson.

A Celebration of Life Service is being planned for June 13, 2022 in Spearfish. Memorials may be sent to the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery Association c/o Kris Stewart, 245 Meier Ave, Spearfish SD 57783 or to the Good Shepherd Clinic in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com