Duane Gordon Erickson, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather. Duane was born on January 30, 1931, in Ellsworth, Wisconsin to Carl Albert Erickson and Mabel Mae Whistler-Erickson. He had one brother, Bruce, and two half-siblings, Joyselle and Dalton. He married his high school sweetheart, Audrey in 1952, a lifelong partnership that would last 73 years and have one son, John, born in 1960. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with Honors in 1953 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, he was commissioned in the Army and would serve his country faithfully from 1955-1985, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He continued his education while serving, earning his Ph.D. with Distinction from the University of Minnesota in 1964.

As a military member, he travelled the world, from Puerto Rico to Ethiopia to Vietnam and to Japan, supported by his wife and son every step of the way. He was the first Army Medical Department officer to be awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. He served as a parasitologist, clinical research and Science Management Executive with over 30 publications documented to this day. At the time of his retirement, he was the Consultant in Parasitology to the Army Surgeon General.

After retirement, he taught biology, environmental science, parasitology and anatomy at 5 different colleges and universities in Washington DC and Maryland from 1987-2004. He also continued his hobbies of fishing, skiing, running and microscopy for the rest of his life.

He passed away in the morning of September 03, 2026, in Severn, MD at the age of 95. He is survived by his grandson, Andrew, his nephews David and Terry, and his nieces Debbie, Cari, Rita and Wanda. Memorial services honoring his legacy will be held at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ellsworth, WI.

A brilliant man possessing extraordinary integrity, honor and a kind soul. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.