Professor Wilhelm Ericksen

Wilhelm Skjelstad Ericksen was the elder of twins born to Laura and Melvin Ericksen on May 3 1912. He was raised near Oconto, Wisconsin in the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and language, and acquired an interest in mathematics from an aunt, who was a teacher. Having shared farming chores with an elder brother, he initially enrolled in the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin. But with the encouragement of an uncle, who was Dean of Students at St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota, he transferred to that institution, where he earned his BA in 1936. He returned to Wisconsin for graduate study in mathematics, earning his MS in 1939 and the Ph.D. in 1942, both from the University of Wisconsin.

While at the University of Wisconsin, he met his future wife, Ann Aaker. They were married in Ann’s hometown of Stoughton, Wisconsin, on August 20, 1939. In 1940 he returned to St. Olaf to teach. While there, their first daughter was born. He then took a teaching position at Minot State Teachers College (North Dakota), where a son, was born. In 1945 he moved to Rhode Island for postdoctoral study at Brown University, and after briefly holding a research position with Bell Helicopters, returned in 1946 to the University of Wisconsin for a research position with the Forest Products Laboratory. Following the accidental death of his son, in 1953 he joined the faculty of AFIT. In the early 50’s, Bill and Ann cared for a number of foster children. They adopted one of these, Gerald, and in 1956 another son, Mark, was born.

In AFIT’s Department of Mathematics from 1953 until his retirement in 1983, he taught extensively in the discipline of mathematical analysis and conducted research in applied mathematics, differential equations, tensor analysis, and in applied mechanics. Upon retirement, he was appointed Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. After retirement, he continued to teach on a part-time basis at AFIT, at Wright State University and at Hillel Academy, and to continue research* in mathematics. He was an avid organic gardener and craftsman, and was devoted to exercising through jogging, bicycling and walking. A life long learner, he continued his study of mathematics and the Norwegian language until shortly before his death.

He died on June 11, 2003, proceeded in death by a son, Roald, a sister, Ellen, and a brother, Randall, but survived by his wife Ann, daughters Susan (Tarr), Jane (Bridegroom), and sons Gerald and Mark. Memorial Services were held on June 15 at Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek, OH. His ashes will be returned to his beloved state of Wisconsin.