Obituary of Stephen Emory Erickson

Stephen Erickson, 73

Former Plymouth resident Stephen Emory Erickson, 73, died October 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the time of his death Steve was Executive Director for the North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce serving four cities within the metropolitan area. Previously, Steve led the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which served eight cities, all in the western Chicago suburbs.

Mr. Erickson was born September 26, 1945 in Fargo, to educators, George and Ida Mae Erickson. Steve was a superb writer, marketer and business generator who supported both business and family with uncurbed devotion and enthusiasm. He worked fiercely in programs to motivate and ‘bridge the gap’ between businesses, and especially as a catalyst to help youth become business-ready.

A graduate of Brown Institute of Broadcasting and Electronics in Minneapolis, Steve began his business career as a radio announcer in the Twin Cities. Over time, Steve served as president, senior sales and marketing officer and general manager for several services, loyalty, performance management and manufacturing companies including S&H Motivation, Inc.(Hillside IL), Motivation Excellence, Inc. (Schaumburg IL), Winsert, Inc. (Marinette WI), Dahlberg Electronics, Inc. (Minneapolis), Carlson Marketing Group (Minneapolis) and his own management and marketing consultant firm, The Performance Alliance, Inc. In the process, he created over 2,500 marketing, business, communications and performance management solutions for the majority of the Fortune 500 industrial firms as well as a host of financial institutions and a large number of small and mid-size companies, many in the Twin Cities area.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Springfield, IL and completed advanced studies in Product Development and Implementation from the University of Chicago.

He is survived by his brother, Craig Erickson; a son, Barton; two daughters, Christine and Elizabeth; and five grandchildren, Travis, Benjamin, Nicholas, Brooke and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie Erickson Newkirk and his parents, George and Ida Mae Erickson.

In honor and memory of Steve, A Celebration of Life is scheduled for January 19, 2019 in the Chicago area. For condolences and details, please contact L. Erickson at (630-638-7176). In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ Lutheran Church of Clarendon Hills to be distributed to local charities.