DARROLD JOHN ERICKSON was born 19 July 1933 in Canby, Minnesota as the third of seven children of Alvin and Alice Erickson. After many moves throughout the upper plains states, the Ericksons settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Darrold graduated from Washington High School in 1951 and attended Augustana College for two years before winning his appointment to West Point. As co-captain of the Washington football team and quarterback at Augustana, Big "D" became a local legend. The Sioux Falls community admired the big scholar-athlete and honored him by placing his cadet uniform in the local museum.

"Derrick" played center on the Army football team and earned a Major A in track and field, placing first in discus at the Army-Navy track meet. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the Signal Corps, serving honorably for 27 years.

On 5 April 1958 he married the love of his life, Patricia Sue Hanson. Patti and Darrold had one child, a son Timothy. Their 34 years of marriage was a partnership of love and community service.

After completing the Signal Corps basic course at Fort Monmouth, Darrold earned his jump wings and Ranger tab. His first troop assignment was as a communications officer with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 1958-60. From 1960-63 he served as communications officer with SHAPE HQ in Paris. Upon return to the States in 1963, Darrold attended the advanced course at Fort Benning. He served the next two years at Fort Bragg, also providing Signal support for the XVIII Airborne Corps in the Dominican Republic.

From 1965-67 he attended Harvard, earned a master's in business administration and returned to West Point as an associate professor of military psychology and leadership.

From 1970-71 he served as chief, Combined Analysis Branch, Office of Economic Affairs, HQ MACV in Saigon. In 1972 he attended the Command & General Staff School and from 1973-74 commanded the 16th Signal Battalion (REFORGER) at Fort Hood.

The Ericksons returned to Europe in 1974, and Darrold served as chief, C-E Division (J6), Joint Task Force Headquarters, HQ US European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. This was followed in 1977 by an assignment as action officer, Telecommunications Division, OJCS. Colonel Erickson next served as chief, Systems Branch and Interoperability Division, C3S Directorate, OJCS from 1978-80.

In 1981 he became director, Defense C-E Evaluation and Test Activity at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. There he served as a DOD C-E facility manager until his retirement on 31 December 1984.

Soldiers who served with Darrold were extremely fortunate because he always went the extra mile to look after those with personal problems. Many families can thank him for food at Thanksgiving and children’s gifts at Christmas.

Following retirement, Darrold worked for five years as a senior systems engineer for General Electric Space Systems Division in Reston, Virginia. His personal contributions were recognized when he received an individual award for six consecutive 100% award fee evaluations. The Foreign Broadcast Information Service also recognized Darrold for his vital contributions to the FBIS automation project. He served as a trustee of the Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia and was a member of the Harvard Club and the Virginia Power Customer Advisory Board. In 1989, Darrold retired from General Electric and moved to New Port Richey, Florida, where he served as president-elect of the Suncoast Chapter of TROA.

Darrold was an avid sports enthusiast throughout his Army career. As a cadet, he played varsity football and track. He was a member of the 101st Screaming Eagle and SHAPE Indian football teams at Fort Campbell and Paris, France. He later coached Army football and contributed to Little League athletics. He led the Erickson clan in performing in and producing numerous theater shows, both stateside and overseas. When he was not producing, he provided backstage support for son Tim’s theatrical endeavors. He always found time to do volunteer work for the Red Cross and other committees.

The core of Darrold's character was his love of God, country, family and people, and his keen sense of humor. His excellence as scholar, soldier, teacher and athlete was overshadowed only by his jovial, spirited and caring nature.

He is survived by his wife, Patti, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; son Timothy Erickson of New Port Richey, Florida; mother Alice Erickson of Sioux Falls; brothers Chuck of Lenexa, Kansas, Don of Sioux Falls and Bill of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and sisters Joan Bakke and Judy Anderson of Sioux Falls and Betty Larsen of Houston, Texas.

His service decorations included two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Colonel Darrold John Erickson was laid to rest with full military honors in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on 1 September 1992. With her husband's close friends, Ted Chesney, Russ Mericle and Ed Szvetecz by her side, Patti accepted the revered American flag from a most grateful nation. Darrold was a distinguished soldier and an exceptional member of the Long Gray Line. "Well done, be thou at peace."