Jon Erickson

Dr. Jon Karl Erickson died on October 16, 2016 as a result of lung cancer. Dr. Erickson was a professor at Kean University in the Department of Public Administration, a sitting member of the Highland Park Borough Council and an active and committed member of the Kean Federation of Teachers. He was a community advocate and an activist who worked to make the world better.

He grew up in Gold Beach, Oregon and earned a bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Oregon. While still in college, he was a Vista volunteer and worked at the Community Action Program. After earning his Master’s degree he worked as a city planner in the city of Eugene, Oregon. He earned a PhD from Rutgers University and worked at the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ State and Local Expenditure and Revenue Policy Commission before realizing his dream of becoming a college professor.

He had a keen, inquisitive mind, a dry and often wicked sense of humor and the uncanny ability to untangle complex ideas and find common ground all kinds of negotiations. He loved a good meal with interesting conversation, jazz, and the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

Jon is survived by his wife, Anne Sherber and his daughter, Rebecca Tess Erickson; his brother. George Erickcek and sister-in-law Jan Erickcek; his sister, Jane Erickson and her partner Deborah Roth; a niece, Adrienne Erickcek, her husband, Nick Law and a great nephew.

A service to celebrate Jon’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Highland Park Senior/Youth Center, 220 South Sixth Avenue, Highland Park.

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