Detroit Lodge No. 7 lost its senior member on Monday, March 26, 2012 when Captain Don Erickson passed away at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn at the age of 84. 

Born in Superior, Wisconsin on August 7, 1927, Don began sailing at age 15 and joined the Navy a year later during World War II.  While serving in the Pacific theater, he operated an assortment of landing craft, minesweepers and patrol boats and was awarded the Bronze Star.  After the war, Don began working for the Ford Marine Division, eventually working his way up to become Captain of the M/V Henry Ford II in 1962.  At the time, he was one of the youngest captains on the Great Lakes.

Although he sailed on most vessels in the Ford fleet, Don spent the bulk of his career aboard the William Clay Ford.  After overseeing the final months of the vessel's construction at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in Ecorse, he was aboard as 2nd Mate when it was launched in May of 1953.  31 years later, he was aboard as Captain when the William Clay Ford laid up for the final time on December 14, 1984.   In 1986, after spending 24 years as Captain, Don retired from the Ford Motor Company (Rouge Steel) fleet. 

On April 3, 1991 the pilothouse of the William Clay Ford was moved by barge and placed on a specially built foundation at the Dossin Museum for display facing the Detroit River as a fully equipped pilot house.  For many of the following years, Don would occasionally serve as a volunteer in the pilothouse at Dossin Museum and talk about his days aboard the William Clay Ford.  

One of the most notable events of his career occurred on the evening of November 10, 1975, when the Edmund Fitzgerald disappeared on Lake Superior.  After hearing reports of the Fitzgerald's disappearance, Capt. Erickson decided to leave safe anchorage in Whitefish Bay and head out on storm-ravaged Lake Superior to search for possible survivors.  Because of the bravery and valor demonstrated that night by Captain Erickson and his crew, they were presented with many accolades including a plaque bestowed upon them by the Great Lakes Maritime Institute recognizing their role in the search for the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

Many years would pass before Capt. Erickson was comfortable talking about the events of November 10, 1975.  In October of 2011, he reluctantly agreed to speak about the Fitzgerald at a fundraiser for the Harsens Island Historical Society.  Fortunately, the presentation has been captured on video. 

In 1970, with Detroit Lodge No. 7 hosting the Grand Lodge Convention at the Detroit Hilton (Statler) Hotel, Capt. Erickson was elected to the office of Grand President.  He held the office with great pride, and was equally proud of the I.S.M.A. and its accomplishments.  Through the years, he remained a strong advocate of the organization.  He was always attentive to the lodge ritual and following the proper rules of order.  Thus, the lodge would often look for his guidance when procedural or constitutional questions arose.   

Captain Erickson is survived by his wife, Joyce, and son Eric, who is also a member of Detroit Lodge No. 7.

        LINKS:             Video of Capt. Erickson in 2003          Funeral Home Obituary            Sample of 2011 Harsens Island Presentation


                                                1-Hour video narrated by Bill Hoey showing the final trip of the William Clay Ford in December of 1984.

88th Annual Dinner Dance of Detroit Lodge No. 7 - January 10, 1969 Latin Quarters on East Grand Boulevard Don Erickson is standing on the far right. Joyce Erickson is kneeling on the far right.

1970 I.S.M.A. Grand Lodge Convention Detroit Hilton Hotel (aka Statler Hotel) January 28, 1970 Incoming Grand Lodge President Don Erickson is seated front & center.