Dr. Jeffrey Erickson

Erickson, Dr. Jeffrey Whitney - age 65, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 17, 2013 in Mobile, AL surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 21, 1947 in Baltimore, MD to Cmdr. and Mrs. Whitney (Eleanor) Adolph Erickson. As the son of a Naval officer, Dr. Erickson experienced many moves in his childhood until his father retired from the Navy. The family put down roots in Springfield, VA where he graduated from Annandale High School in 1965. Dr. Erickson earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in 1969, his Master of Arts in Psychology at the University of Richmond and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While at the University of Virginia, Dr. Erickson became a proud refounder of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and returned each year to gather with his fraternity brothers. Early in his career, he served the Knoxville community as Director and Chief Psychologist of the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s Child and Adolescent Services division. He later contributed to the work of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and the Florence Crittenton Agency and collaborated in developing clinical and education programs for children, including the Self Discovery Project. Dr. Erickson further served the community for decades in private practice, specializing in forensic psychology matters and in treating hundreds of children and adolescents. Dr. Erickson was a long time member of the graduate psychology faculty at UT. He was appointed by Gov. Bredesen to the Board of Examiners for Psychology; at the time of his death, he was Chairman of that Board. Dr. Erickson was an active member of the American Psychological Association, Tennessee Psychological Association, Knoxville Area Psychological Association and the Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society. His love of fine automobiles led to membership and presidency of the Smoky Mountain Jaguar Club and he remained very proud of his beloved alma mater UVA. As a psychologist Dr. Erickson will long be remembered for his impact on the lives of his patients, especially children. Throughout his distinguished career he helped many people heal from tragedy, overcome adversity and find a more meaningful and healthy life. As a friend and family man, Dr. Erickson will be remembered as a fun loving, intelligent, humorous and caring person. He enjoyed playing golf with his son regularly and family trips to the North Carolina Coast to visit his brother and his family. He was often found tinkering with his Jaguar or on the floor of the family den playing for hours with his grandchildren. He will be remembered for living life to the fullest. He had a ready smile, a quick wit, a love of learning and a strong commitment to helping and mentoring others. Jeffrey is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 34 years, Kathleen; their children, Alison E. Anderson (Michael), Andrew Wells Erickson (Meredith), his granddaughter, Mary Wells Anderson, his grandsons Smith Whitney Erickson, Charles Jeffrey Anderson; and his brother Peter Andrew Erickson (Cynthia). He is also survived by his beloved father-in-law, Hobart L. Wells, sister-in-law, Janet Wells (Burr Fraser) and stepson, Benjamin D. Webster. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews that mourn his passing. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00pm on Friday, July 12, 2013 at Church of the Ascension. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Development Office, Dr. Jeffrey W. Erickson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 15010, Knoxville, TN 37901, American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or Episcopal Church of the Ascension Children’s Ministries, 800 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com Article from Knoxville News Sentinel - Dr. Jeffrey Erickson - age 65 of Knoxville, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 in Mobile, Alabama. Knoxville psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Erickson will be remembered as much for the voice he gave others as for his own voice. Dr. Erickson died suddenly after suffering a heart attack while visiting Mobile, Ala., devoted his career to children and adolescents. Along with forensic psychology, in which he had an avid interest, his passion was treating young people and teaching. Early in his career, Dr. Erickson was director and chief psychologist of Helen Ross McNabb Center’s Child and Adolescent Services division; later, he worked with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Florence Crittenton Agency. He codeveloped the Self-Discovery Project for students and collaborated on other clinical and educational programs for children. He was chair of the state Board of Examiners for Psychology. A longtime member of the University of Tennessee’s graduate psychology facility, Dr. Erickson “brought excellence and compassion to all he did, and the careers of a generation of students were shaped by his passion, wisdom and insight,” said Michael Hawthorne, president of the Knoxville Area Psychological Association, of which Dr. Erickson was a longtime member. He was also active in the American Psychological Association, the Tennessee Psychological Association and the Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society. Outside his career, Dr. Erickson was a member and past president of the Smoky Mountain Jaguar Club. He remained very involved as an alumnus of the University of Virginia, from which he received his undergraduate degree. He later received a master’s degree from the University of Richmond and a doctorate in clinical psychology from UT. “Dr. Erickson was known in our community and across our state as a superb and caring clinician, as a dedicated and creative educator, and as a loyal and generous friend,” Hawthorne said, calling him “an exemplary professional role model, a tireless advocate for children and adolescents, and a warm and trusted therapist to hundreds, maybe thousands, of people.” Dr. Erickson is survived by his wife, social worker Kathleen Erickson, children Andrew Erickson and Alison Anderson, and two grandchildren. Hawthorne said he was “eagerly anticipating” the birth of a third grandchild. A memorial service will be held on Friday July 12 at 4:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension with the Very Rev. Dr. Howard J. Hess officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the parish hall. A complete obituary will run at a later date. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

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Dr. Jeffrey Erickson

June 12, 2013