The Erikson Memorial Fund
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Don Watson, an inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, made the following appeal about the sudden, unexpected passing of well-loved, well-respected Jon Erikson, an inductee in the International Swimming Hall of Fame and International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame:
Jon Erikson, a maverick who led the way for the beginning of the sport of marathon swimming, passed away at the young age of 60. He passed away from an unknown cause in Florida. He leaves behind his wife Debra and two teenage boys, high school senior Trent and college sophomore Blake.
Due to Jon’s untimely and unexpected death both his sons are in need of financial assistance to continue their education. A memorial fund has been established to help fund their education. Any donations to the Jon Erikson Memorial Fund would be greatly appreciated.
Jon did not attend Hinsdale High School or swim for our Hinsdale Swim Club but he told me at his induction ceremony when he, Sandy Bucha and Bob Dudley were getting inducted that he wish he had the opportunity to move to Hinsdale but his family was not in a position to make such a move. He grew up in Chicago and starting at age 14 became a world recognized world record holder the same as Sandy Bucha and John Kinsella. It is amazing that all three of them swam marathon races at the same time and live in the Chicagoland area. I took it a photo of the three of them at the induction ceremony and have attached it with my email.
In truth I had never met Jon prior to my attending the induction ceremony, but was aware of his outstanding swimming career. I was impressed with him as being humble, caring individual, and unaffected with his success competing in 31 competitions including 11 swims across the English channel, one being the first swimmer to complete a triple English channel swim.
No one asked me to solicit donations for Jon’s boy’s education. I envision a member of our swimming fraternity in financial trouble and decided I had a responsibility to make a personal donation. Giving a donation in any amount speaks well of our own character to lend a helping hand to a family in need. Like too swimmers and coaches Jon spent too many years in a sport that was not financially rewarding to him or his family.
Checks, written to the Order of Boca Rotan Church with a memo noting “Erikson Memorial Fund”, should be sent to Boca Rotan Community Church, 470 NW 4th Avenue, Boca Rotan, FL 33432.
Our swimming community has lost a pioneer and maverick involved with our sport of swimming. He set high goals for himself and achieved them. I will forever remember Jon.
Other articles about Jon Erikson are here:
* Jon Erikson’s Thoughts 3 Decades Later On The 3-Way
* Jon Erikson’s Remarkable 12-Year Career
* Jon Erikson, A Giant In The Sport, Passes Away
* Jon Erikson To Be Honoured In Florida And Scotland
* International Swimming Hall Of Fame Open Water Great
* 24-Hour Club … Swimming All Day And Night
* Progressing Quickly In The English Channel
* Swimming Across Lake Michigan And Watching History
* Open Water Swimming Until You Are Blue In The Face
* Survival Swimming In The Outer Limits
* ISHOF Honor Bestowed On Jon Erikson
* Honor Bestowed On Sandra Bucha
* The Erikson Memorial Fund
* Crème de la Crème Of The Open Water World
* Colin Hill Livens Up Global Open Water Swimming Conference
* Simon Murie To Speak At Global Open Water Swimming Conference
* 2014 Global Open Water Swimming Conference Speakers
* Jon Erikson Needs Good Cheer
* Sharp As A Swimmer, The Mervyn Marathon Magic
* The Heart Of Lions
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Daily News of Open Water Swimming and founder of WOWSA. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010).
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