Eric was an Iowa-born, Oregon-bred man. Son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend—those are just a few of the most important roles Eric played in his short life.  

Eric was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on December 31, 1997. His parents, Kari and Dennis, settled in Oregon when he was four. Eric loved his role of big brother to Matthew and Willow, and he loved his life in the Pacific Northwest.

As a kid, you’d find Eric hiking or camping with his family or his scout troop. As a teen you’d find him on the wrestling mat, in the weight room, or on the football field with guys who became his lifelong friends.

Family trips to the coast and Bend were always a highlight of summers and school breaks. Eric graduated from Sunset High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University. He worked at Columbia Sportswear—recently entering their leadership program.

Standing 6’ 7”, Eric naturally commanded attention—but not just for his stature. He was a gentle giant with the heart, soul, and beard of a Viking. His love of fantasy fiction, video games, and anime stirred a vivid imagination and ultimately led to his creation of the Gilgamesh Trilogy. The First Offense: An Epic of Gilgamesh, was a huge point of pride when he published the e-book in 2021.

Eric's generous spirit extended even to those he had never met -- his legacy lives on in others through his gifts of organ and tissue donations.