"We were blessed to have Bob at IVH, and he and Gladys will continue to be remembered at Mass there. I'll be back home Monday, but my Mass will be for Bob. -Fr. Edgar"
In loving memory of
Robert Ericson
August 20, 1930 - July 13, 2021
Robert H. "Bob" Ericson, 90 of the Illinois Veterans Home died Tuesday, July 13th. He was born August 22, 1930 in Quincy, IL a son to Ruth and Fred Ericson. On August 25, 1951 he married Gladys M. Holtschlag in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Quincy, IL. She preceded him in death on September 14, 2019.
Bob and Gladys were owners/operators of Holtschlag Florist and Greenhouses throughout their married lives. In 1969, Bob was voted Designer of the Year at the FTD Convention in Honolulu, HI. In 1989, Bob became the Veterans Services Representative at Illinois Veterans Home where he retired in 1995.
Bob was active in many local organizations and served as president/chairman in most including Korean War Veterans, Marine Corp League, American Legion Post 37, Forty & Eight, VFW, Buglers Across America, Taps Across America, Adams County Board, Adams County Precinct Committeeman, Two Rivers R, C & D, Quincy Lions Club, Quincy Elks Lodge #100, Quincy Jaycees, South Side Boat Club, Twin Oaks, QND Band Parents Booster Club, PMO Band Parents, Flying Dutchmen Drum & Bugle Corp Parents Club, Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps Booster, St Vincent de Paul Society of St Mary Church, and Knights of Columbus #583 Fourth Degree.
Starting in 1941, Bob was a bugler in the local American Legion Post 37 Drum and Bugle Corps. Drum corps was a lifelong love of Bob's as a performer, instructor, fan and booster. As a young man he would be excused from school to play "Taps" for military funerals, and this was the beginning of a long dedication of over 69 years to participate in the honoring of our fallen veterans numbering over 6,500.
In 1951, Bob joined the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC. Here, he and his childhood friend Nick Tanner directed the Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. In 1953, Bob served in the Korean War. At 10:00 p.m. on July 27, 1953, at the site of the United Nations armistice signing in Panmunjom, Bob played "Taps" officially signaling the cease fire. Bob was a member of the commission to design the National Korean War Memorial, and in 1995 he was asked to play "Taps" in Washington, D.C. for the dedication. In 1997, Bob played "Taps" for the dedication of the Illinois Korean War Memorial in Springfield. In 2003, he and Gladys were invited by Seoul, Korea to perform at the 50th anniversary celebration of the cease fire. In 2013 Bob was included in a Quincy Honor Flight back to Washington, DC where he once again played "Taps" at the Korean War Memorial.
Bob is survived by his children: Robert M. "Mike" Ericson (Faye) of Camp Point, IL; Mark Ericson, Keaau, HI; Deborah (Brian) Naught, Quincy & Osage Beach, MO and Diane Ericson Abbott, Reno, NV. Grandchildren include Brant Ericson, Shawn Ericson, Eric (Heather) and Ryan (Jordan) Naught, Evan Ericson, Hannah and Nicholas Abbott. Great-Grandchildren, Gradyn, Mason, Hudson, Jaxon, Olivia, and Alexzander. Bob Is also survived by sister-in-law, Leta Holtschlag, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Gladys, Bob was proceeded in death by his parents and beloved sister Charlene Krabbe, half brother John Drury, Brother-in Laws Don Krabbe and Jim Holtschlag and Daughter-in Laws Paula Ericson and Sandy Miller.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. The Marine Corps League and American Legion Post 37 will stand vigil.
Services: 9:30 am prayers on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Michael Kuse officiating.
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois with full military honors by American Legion Post 37 and the United State Marine Corps Funeral Honors Detail.
Being a life-long florist, Bob would appreciate floral tributes. Memorial may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home Activities Fund or Camp Callahan. Memorials donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"The Friends of the Log Cabins Board would like to offer our condolences to the family of Bob Ericson. Bob was an early Board member of the Friends of the Log Cabins and in fact he was instrumental in getting the Friends organization started. When I was on the Mary Griffith show to garner support to save the Log Cabin Village, I remember Bob calling in to express his support. Then Bob followed up by becoming one of the first FLC Board members. He was instrumental in helping the Friends, decide what we needed to do to ?save, restore, preserve and utilize? the Log Cabins located on Quinsippi Island, Quincy IL. I remember Bob suggesting we add flowers around the structures, while at the same time our consultant was saying keep plantings away from the log structures, as they tend to cause the structures to fail sooner if there is no air flow. As a fellow Legionnaire, I personally attended many Legion meetings with Bob over the years. When he became a resident of the IL Veterans Home, I use to visit him. I knew both Bob and Gladys when they were both residents. They enjoyed hearing about our progress in the village and Bob especially enjoyed some of the tomatoes I use to bring him from my garden. I will miss seeing Bob at the IL Veterans Home Advisory Council, where we both served. Bob and I use to ?Skyped? periodically, when I could no longer visit him in person, at the Veterans Home. Rest in peace my good friend."
"Mike, Faye and entire family we are praying for you all at this sad time. RIP Jeff & Jaoanne"
"Dear Mike. So sorry to hear about your Father. You have my Deepest Sympathy. God Bless, Wanda O'Hara"
"Deborah, Brian and Family - I am sorry for your loss - I wish you peace"
"Our prayers are with all of you. We enjoyed knowing Bob for many years ever since Art Tenhouse 's office was close to the shop! May God bless his soul. "