Leif Erickson

The Reverend Leif Erickson, age 74, of Millbrook, NY passed away on January 6, 2012. He was born December 25, 1937 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Carl Eugene Theoren Erickson and Florence Newman Erickson.

Leif received his BA from the University of Minnesota in 1960, and Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY in June 1963. He also completed post-graduate work at Butler University.

Leif was ordained into the Presbytery of Rochester, MN by Sheldon Jackson. He began his service to the Presbytery at the Clayton Presbyterian Church in Indiana. He returned to the Hudson Valley Region in 1967 and served the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia, NY. Over the course of the next 40 years, Leif served as Stated Supply for several Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer County Churches, including the historic First Presbyterian Church of Hudson. Most Recently, Leif served the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church.

In 1973, Leif became a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the NYS Department of Education working with alcohol and substance abuse and physically and mentally challenged clients for 20 years. He also became a Specialized Treatment Foster Parent for emotionally disturbed children through Parsons Child and Family Service in Albany. Having cared for over 60 children, he was named New York State Foster Parent of the Year in 1992.

Leif was active in the community, participating in the Hudson Interfaith Council and teaching Philosophy, Psychology and Religion at Empire State College, Hudson Valley Community College and Columbia-Greene Community College.

Leif had a very active interest in Scandinavian history as well as spending leisure time with his friends and family. He regularly watched his grandsons' baseball and football games and relished a good game of Pinochle with his friends.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Link Greer of Millbrook, NY, two sons from a prior marriage, Jon Erickson of Scituate, MA, and Karl Erickson of East Nassau, NY and four grandchildren, Grant, Karylena, Clayton and Cole.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, at Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Smithfield, NY. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or AbilityPLUS, 775 US Route 302, Bartlett, NY 03812. (AbilityPLUS provides sports programs for people with all manner of disability across New England.

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