Vernon Douglas Erickson passed away in Grand Rapids, MN on November 3, 2016. Born in Minneapolis 89 years ago to John and Emmy Erickson, Vernon attended Bancroft Elementary and Minneapolis Central High School and graduated from University of Minnesota Medical School in 1952, interning at Cleveland General Hospital with a residency at University of Minnesota Hospital. He served briefly in the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII. With his bride, Carole Erickson, he moved to Grand Rapids in 1954 where he joined the Grand Rapids Clinic, practicing general medicine until he retired, often caring for families through several generations. An energetic man, he dove enthusiastically into all the opportunities Grand Rapids afforded for service and fun. Vern loved to sing. He sang in the University of Minnesota Chorus, the Community Presbyterian Choir, a number of men's choruses, musicals with Grand Rapids Players and Showboat, and the rollicking family sing-along in the car. A passionate catalyst and advocate for growth of the arts in Grand Rapids, he provided leadership to the Reif Center, Grand Rapids Players, KAXE and the Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program, where he was especially interested in expanding arts opportunities for young people. He was honored as the 2006 Citizen of the Year by the Herald Review. Over the years he served as an Elder and Trustee of the Community Presbyterian Church. Vern loved the outdoors. He put thousands of miles on his bicycle, he skied every hill and mountain he could find, he canoed, hiked, golfed and visited a long list of America's national parks. Vern loved to travel. He and Carole traveled abroad many times, especially thrilled by the experience of attending the Innsbruck Winter Olympics in 1964. Vern loved people. Nothing made him happier than riding his bike to visit his friends, former colleagues and patients. He was a well-known sight at high school sporting events, concerts, and the morning men's coffee group at Arby's. Preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Bob, Oliver and Jim Erickson, sister Mildred Harris and his son Stephen Paul. He is survived by his wife, Carole, his children, Marcia Noebels and husband Jeffrey, Pamela Corson and husband Randall, and Glen and wife Martha, and his grandchildren, Kate Noebels Lovo, Abigail Noebels and Nicholas Corson; and great-grandson, Ben Lovo. Services will be held on Wednesday, November 9th at 1:00 PM at Community Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Itasca Orchestra and String Program or the Reif Center. See online family guestbook at www.andrews-libbeyfh.com. Arrangements by Andrews-Libbey Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 218-326-4000.