Virgil MD

Dr. Erickson passed away at the age of 94 following a brief illness. A native of Crookston, Minnesota, he was a graduate of Hamlin University (St. Paul, Minnesota) and the University of Minnesota Medical School (Minneapolis, Minnesota). He served as a ship's doctor on the Matson Lines and later was in residence at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. According to Dr. Alfonso F. Bañuelos, Jr., Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, "We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Virgil Erickson. Dr. Erickson was a long standing member of the medical staff at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) from 1962 - 1986 after completing his training at SCVMC from 1951 – 1956 rotating through medicine, radiology and pathology. Dr. Erickson left a legacy at SCVMC in establishing our ambulatory clinics in the 1960's & 1970's. "Dr. Dennis Low, our Chief of Primary Care in the Department of Medicine states 'Dr. Erickson was for many years the Director of Outpatient Clinics, as it was called in the old days. He personally designed the clinics built at East Valley and South Valley which were small but sturdy clinics that provided care for thousands of patients. He was dedicated to the proposition that these clinics were there to better the health of all members of the community that they served. He was a wonderful leader who set a high standard for the doctors and nurses that worked there.' "The Department of Medicine has established the 'Virgil Erickson Award for Excellence in History and Physical Exam' for the past two years. Dr. Steven Roey, Department of Medicine Residency Program Director, and Dr. William Jensen, recently retired Chair of Medicine, explained that the Virgil Erickson Excellence in Physical Exam Award is awarded to the intern who demonstrates the most outstanding skills in bedside diagnosis and care. The first awardees were 2010 - Alex Nugent, MD; 2011 - Jason Lee, MD. "The Executive Director of the Valley Medical Center Foundation, E. Christopher Wilder, said 'I visited Dr. Erickson a few times. He was a sweet man and will be missed. For those who knew him so much longer and better than I did, I am sorry for this great loss. He lived an excellent and full life.' " Dr. Erickson's many outside passions included directing an international three-cushion billiards federation, hosting tournaments around the world, and after retirement, ranching, and showing Morgan horses. Dr. Erickson was predeceased by his beloved wife, Isabel (Judy) Erickson, and his two older brothers, Everett and Kensel Erickson, and two younger brothers, Curtis and Lowell Erickson. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Beverly Erickson (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fontaine of Crookston) and Lorna Erickson; and by nieces and nephews: Leif Erickson, Ann "Tink" Matzek [Richard, son John (Noelle, daughter Katelyn, son Grae)], Janna Garcia [Ed, daughter Tara], Lee Alan Erickson [Mary, daughters Elizabeth and Caitlin], Jody Ruble [Randy, daughters Madelyn and Melissa] and cousins Patricia Skognes (Fargo, N.D.) and John Sampson (Thief River Falls). Dr. Erickson was a grandson of Bernhard and Petra Sampson, one of the founders of Crookston, as is Mr. Sampson. Dr. Erickson was a son of Abel and Hulda Erickson of Crookston. A memorial service and interment will take place at the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston, Minnesota on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:30am. Arrangements are being made by the Johnson Funeral Home in Morgan Hill, California and the Stenshoel Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, Minnesota.

Gifts to honor Dr. Erickson and support medical education at SCVMC for the "Dr. Virgil Erickson Fund" can be sent to the VMC Foundation, 2400 Moorpark Avenue #207, San Jose, CA 95128 or donated online to www.vmcfoundation.org.

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Previous Events

cemetery
Thursday, December 8, 2011