Obituary of Charles Franklin Erekson

Dr. Charles Franklin Erekson

March 8, 1946 - April 8, 2021

 

Dr. Charles Franklin Erekson passed away peacefully on April 8, 2021 at home with his wife Sue Ellen (Susie) and daughter Amy at his side. He fought a short and courageous battle with cancer. Charles is remembered fondly by friends and colleagues with words such as mentor, story-teller, full of wisdom, integrity, principled, kind hearted, brilliant, coach and teacher. He was 75.

 

Originally from Texas, Charles was born in Brenham and grew up in Houston as the middle son of Owen and Lillie Hazel Erekson. Charles was a proud graduate of Waltrip High School Class of 1964 where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, track and served as class president. He went on to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) where he continued playing baseball, was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and met his wife of fifty-two years Susie.

 

Charles and Susie ventured west in 1970 for Charles to pursue his PhD in Higher Education Administration at Oregon State University. He served as Auxiliary Services Director at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls and as the Business Analyst for the Oregon State Board of Higher Education in Eugene before moving to California to begin his career at Santa Clara University.

 

Charles held a variety of mission critical university positions at Santa Clara including Dean of Students [1983-1991], Associate Vice President for Student Development [1991 - 1997], Associate Vice Provost for University Planning [1997 - 2005] and Vice Provost for Planning and Administration from 2005 until his retirement in 2014.

 

Charles’ strategic thinking, budget planning, and mastery of complicated spreadsheets was legendary. His insights and recommendations for where budgets should be cut or augmented were instrumental to the financial sustainability of the University. Over many decades, many across the University sought his opinions and valued his insights and recommendations. While his thoughtful business strategy was legendary, it was secondary to his commitment and love of mentoring countless student leaders and colleagues over the decades.

 

Serving his community was a central value throughout Charles’ life. He was a founding Board member of the Los Gatos Saratoga Girls Softball Association, served on the Board of Directors of Los Gatos Little League and Campfire Girls and Boys, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Positive Coaching Alliance, and coached a variety of youth sports. Charles coached not only his daughter’s generation of athletes but continued coaching and mentoring athletes for many years afterwards. A highlight for him was seeing many of the girls he coached go on to continued success in collegiate athletics, and more importantly in life. He was honored to have a softball field named after him in Los Gatos.

 

Additionally, Charles found great meaning in being an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Los Gatos and volunteering for the Los Gatos Education Foundation, St. Luke’s Pantry, Sacred Heart Community Services, Stop Hunger Now, serving on several committees in the Los Gatos Union School District, and being an executive coach for the Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent. Charles loved serving on the TCU Chancellor’s Advisory Council and being an active member of the TCU Alumni Association.

 

It was Charles’ deep honor to serve on various commissions, boards, and committees for the Town of Los Gatos including the Planning Commission, General Plan Committee, Historic Preservation Committee, Conceptual Design Advisory Committee, Housing Element Advisory Board, and North 40 Specific Plan Advisory Committee.  He was known for his wise counsel and deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of citizen leaders. 

 

Being an active Rotarian afforded Charles the opportunity to mentor some of those next generation leaders, as well as to give back to his community. He held several leadership positions in the Rotary Club of Los Gatos and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for his generous support of the Rotary International Foundation. In 2017, Charles was honored with the Senior of Distinction Award in the town of Los Gatos for his long standing commitment to making the community a better place.

 

In 2017, Charles and Susie left their beloved Los Gatos to relocate to Lake Oswego, Oregon to be close to their daughter Amy and grandchildren Marlo and Reid. In the short time Charles was in Lake Oswego, he became an active member of the Rotary Club of Lake Oswego where he was an enthusiastic fundraiser for the club and served as a key volunteer for the annual Lobster Feed. He also served on the Citizens Budget Committee for the City of Lake Oswego, and continued to advocate for and mentor emerging civic leaders.

 

Charles was a lifelong fan of his Houston Astros, the TCU Horned Frogs, Blue Bell ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, long conversations, country western music, and traveling with beloved friends. His most cherished role was being Papa to his grandchildren.

 

Dr. Erekson is survived by his wife, Susie, daughter Amy Erekson Varga, son-in-law Jason Varga and grandchildren Marlo and Reid. He is also survived by his brother Dr. O. Homer Erekson and cherished extended family.

 

Memorial donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Los Gatos Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to the Rotary Club of Los Gatos Scholarship Fund with "In Memory of Charles Erekson” indicated and mailed to PO Box 1018, Los Gatos, CA 95030.

 

 

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