Associated Press
SEATTLE — Dick Erickson, who coached men’s varsity crew at the University of Washington for 20 years, has died at the age of 65.
Erickson died of natural causes Wednesday night at his home in Marysville, the UW said in a news release. A school spokesman said he had no further information on the cause of death.
Erickson led the Huskies to 15 Pacific Coast rowing championships and a national championship in 1984. His 1977 crew won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.
He was named Pac-10 rowing coach of the year three times and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Committee from 1972-1975.
Born and raised in Arlington, Erickson received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from university in 1958. He earned a master’s in education administration at Harvard in 1964.
Erickson, who rowed on the 1958 UW varsity eight crew, coached freshmen for four years before he was named head rowing coach for men’s varsity in 1968. He also helped form the women’s varsity rowing team in 1975.
After his retirement in 1987, Erickson served as facilities manager for the UW Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He also was a regular television commentator for the Windermere Cup-Opening Day races each spring in Seattle.
He is survived by his wife, Irma, and their three sons, Alan, Jeff and Jon.
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