David Erickson loses life in motorcycle accident

David Erickson, the Chief Executive Officer of Erickson Oil Products, Inc. / Freedom Valu Centers based in Hudson, died Wednesday as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident near Bozeman, Montana. His wife, Debi, was with him and sustained minor injuries. She is being treated at a local hospital in Bozeman.

Erickson, 55, is the son of the late Claire and Betty Lou Erickson and was a 1973 graduate of Hudson High School. According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the accident happened shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday on Bridger Canyon Road. The motorcycle was northbound when it drifted off the right side of the road and over an embankment at mile marker 21.4, north of Bridger Bowl ski area, Montana Highway Patrol trooper Erick Fetterhoff said.

"The motorcycle went off the road and struck a few rocks," Fetterhoff said in the Daily Chronicle story.

Erickson was transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Both David and Debi were wearing helmets. Fetterhoff said alcohol and speed were not factors in the accident.

The tragedy is the second to strike the family in just over a year. On March 24, 2009, David’s parents, Claire and Betty Lou, died tragically in the couple’s Hudson home.

In addition to his wife Debi, he is survived by his three children Ashley, Bradley, Grady and his two sisters, Mimi (Jim) Kron of Hudson and Kristi (Michael) Kampmeyer of the Twin Cities. Another sister Nancy (1951-1974) died in an auto accident in Colorado Oct. 23, 1974.

The late Herman Erickson (David’s grandfather) was involved in the grocery business when he moved to Hudson in 1939. In 1950, the company diversified into the gasoline business with the first store in Red Wing, Minn. Herman, Claire and brothers Dean and Eugene continued in the retail grocery and gasoline business until 1981.

In 1981, the company divided and Claire and his family became solely involved in the retail gasoline business, Erickson Oil Products – DBA Freedom Valu Centers.

After Claire’s death last year, David assumed full control of the Erickson Oil operation. A company spokesman said a plan is in place for the company to continue forward.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Debi and their family,” said Sherry Jerry, executive assistant. “Our focus is on supporting the Erickson family during this difficult time.”

Officials added that “although David’s death is untimely and tragic the Erickson Family has planned for successive leadership and has a strong team of experienced professionals to lead the company today and into the future.”

By: Doug Stohlberg, Hudson Star-Observer

If you wish to send along condolences to Debi and the Erickson family or wish to share a special memory please type in the box below and hit submit.


Comments: I had the privilege to work for David and his father Claire for 12 years at the store in Huron, SD. I want to extend my sincere sympathy to the family of David and the Freedom family. Debi and family you will be in my prayers. Kim H. Date: 8/16/2010 2:19:42 PM Comments: I had the good fortune to work for David from 1997 to 2000 as a store manager at store #57 in Minnetonka. He was a down to earth person. He never acted or talked to you like he was your"boss".He was always accessable to his employees.One story comes to mind. We had a very busy carwash at our store and it broke down constantly.One day it broke and an irate custumer cussed out my morning cashier Ginny so bad she cried.Ginny had been there since the store opened and knew David well.When i called David and told him what happened he was very upset and told me he would call me back.20 minutes later he called to tell me a new car wash was ordered for the store.He also asked if Ginny was o.k. and if there was anything he could do for her. Not to many bosses would spend about 150,000 dollars because a custumer made one of his cashiers cry. He was a great boss and had a great heart. Heavens a better place today with David there.My prayers are with the family.Sincerly,Paul Koscielski Excelsior,mn Date: 8/11/2010 4:50:28 PM Comments: It is sad to hear that David was in a tragic accident. We at Torgerud Enterprises offer our condolences to the entire Erickson family and the Freedom Valu associates. We understand the sadness you are all feeling after losing a close friend just over a week ago due to a tragic boating accident in Florida. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Tony Torgerud, Rochester, Minnesota Date: 8/11/2010 12:33:32 PM Comments: As one of the senior managers with Freedom, I have collected many fond memories of David, too many to share hear. I will however share one, because anyone that had the good fortune to meet David, will be able to relate. The first time I met David was when I interviewed for the store manager's position. He had flown three people to my location to conduct the interview and while huddled in this small room at the airport being interviewed, in walked this person. I had no idea at the time who he was. He asked, "Would you mind if the pilot sat in on the interview, indicating he had no where to go?" I said it was fine with me if it was OK with the others. I thought it a little strange when the pilot began asking questions, but I again was OK with it. I found out some time later, after I was hired, who the pilot was. I made a statement during that interview, that my previous employers loss could be their good fortune. That is how I began my journey with David. Ten years later I call to thank him for my 10 year anniversary gift and his comment to me was "You were right, their loss was my gain". Mind you, this is 10 years later! Words cannot describe the feeling of emptiness I experienced when I received word of his passing. I consider myself very fortunate, and will be eternally grateful to have had the opportunity work for and with him and also to have gotten to know him on a very personal basis. He was always about family and was always very proud of "his family". He will be missed by all of us, but never forgotten. Thank you Debby and kids for sharing him with us and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless You. Bill L. d Date: 8/2/2010 5:50:46 PM Comments: I had the good fortune and honor to get to know David over the past few years and found him to be a great person with a wonderful sense of humor. It certainly has been a pleasure to know him. He will be missed by many. Tim K. Date: 8/2/2010 3:13:25 PM Comments: Heaven surely received the most special of angels last Wednesday, but I know I must speak for countless of us here on earth when I say that we have lost one of the best individuals one could ever hope to have the honor of knowing or being associated with. I had the joy of knowing David Erickson for the past 25 years while serving as a supplier to Erickson Oil Products, and during that time he became my friend, confidant and mentor in so many ways. It is rare indeed to come across a business leader who, as a writer stated below, would always find the time to go out of his way to personally reach out to everyone he came in contact with and to do the seemingly "little" things that could make such a big difference in a day, in a life. Never in the time I knew David did I hear him utter a profane word (although he had a terrific sense of humor, a sharp wit and was a "man's man" completely, he was also a total gentleman which was so refreshing), and never did I hear him say one negative thing about anyone (he was a shining example of the creed "if you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say anything"). Quite simply, he was an individual who inspired others to be the best that they could be, by example. My condolences go out to the Erickson family, including those within his corporate family, for the shocking and untimely loss of someone so dear to all of us. The team that surrounded David on a daily basis for as long as I've known him (who are also like-type individuals with absolute devotion to the company and what they do) at Erickson Oil will carry on into the future with the same dedication to excellence they always have. My prayers are with all of you during this heartbreaking and difficult time. Valerie Kreager/Nationwide Wash Systems, Inc. Date: 8/2/2010 9:24:11 AM Comments: I would like to send my deepest sympathies to the family. I shop at your 2 lakeland,mn stores and are so thankful that they are close by to meet my need for gas and groc. items. May the family know that you are in many people's thoughts and prayers. Date: 7/31/2010 11:31:27 PM Comments: My husband and I have both worked for the company for a year now, which was just enough time for David to touch both of our hearts. My husband has never felt so trusted, valued or appreciated by any one employer until he began to work for Erickson Oil. He said that every time he saw David he was always smiling and happy, and that he would go out of his way to let him know that he was very happy with what he has done for his company. I work in one of his stores and also feel just as valued as an employee. David had his special touch all the way down to sending Christmas and birthday cards to everyone. I was looking forward to meeting him during his company gathering, shaking his hand, and thanking him again for all he has given and done for us. When my husband and I got married recently David went out of his way to give us a card with enough gift cards so that we didn't have to pay for gas or food. It changed our entire perspective on things, and was one of the nicest and most generous things anyone has ever done for us. We didn't have to pack bread and lunch meat to save money, he took all the financial stress away from the situation. He at that time again showed us how much he values his employees. I have heard many stories through the year I have been with the company, and we are both very grateful to be employed by such wonderful people and will never forget the experience we have been given just by having the priviledge to have known David. We send our deepest sympathies for Debi and the rest of the family. This tragedy has definitely proven how many lives have been touched by David and that he was a great man. Date: 7/30/2010 11:34:25 AM Comments: I work with David's 700 study group, and last year when my own father passed away, David took the time - though he had never met me personally - to write me and express his sympathy and understanding of what we were going through. I remember being so impressed and thankful for his thoughtfulness. We were looking forward to seeing him in Bellingham for a study group meeting next week. Robyn Kindlund Date: 7/30/2010 11:06:31 AM

Freedom Valu Centers
1231 Industrial Street
Hudson, WI 54016