Dick Erickson; 20-Year College Crew Coach

Dick Erickson, the men’s varsity crew coach at the University of Washington who led his team to 15 Pacific Coast rowing championships, died of natural causes Wednesday at his home in Marysville, Wash. He was 65.

Erickson coached men’s varsity crew for 20 years, during which he led the Huskies to a national championship in 1984, as well as the 15 Pac-10 rowing titles. His 1977 crew won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.

He was named Pac-10 rowing coach of the year three times and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Committee from 1972 to 1975.

Born and raised in Arlington, Wash., Erickson received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Washington in 1958, when he rowed on the varsity eight-oared crew. He earned a master’s degree in education administration at Harvard in 1964.

He coached freshmen for four years before being named head rowing coach for men’s varsity in 1968. He also helped form the women’s varsity team in 1975.

After his retirement in 1987, Erickson served as facilities manager for the university’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He also was a television commentator for the Windermere Cup-Opening Day races each spring in Seattle.