Ted Erikson Obituary

Erikson, Ted

Chicago's Ted Erikson, 93-year-old distance swimming legend, passed away on December 1, 2021. In 1961, Erikson became the first person to swim across Lake Michigan, setting a world record not only for crossing the lake but also for hours spent in the water for a distance swim. Four years later in 1965, he became the second person to swim the English Channel round-trip, setting a record for speed that went unbroken until his son, the late Jon Erikson, shaved three minutes off it a decade later. In 1967, Erikson became the first person to swim from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, setting a world record that he held for 47 years. In retirement, Erikson trained his dog Umbra to swim, and she was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records four times in the late 1990s.

Erikson is survived by his daughter, Pam Perkins, four grandchildren—Kelly Riley, Sean Perkins, Blake Erikson and Trent Erikson—and two great grandchildren—Caelan Perkins and Kai Perkins—as well as his former wife, Loretta Bacskai, his cousin Carol Hauser, nieces and nephews, his 95-year-old sweetheart Beulah Brooks, and many, many special friends. His whimsy, intellect and humor touched so many lives, and he will never be forgotten

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Dec. 25, 2021.

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Carroll Family

January 6, 2022

Dear Pam, and Erikson grandchildren and great grandchildren,

Please accept our condolences on Ted's passing. We are sorry for your loss.

Our family is fortunate to have known Ted Erikson for a very long time

As children we swam on the Ridge Park Swim Team in Beverly (as did a young Jon Erickson). We'd all swim one length of the pool, and, gasping for breath, would beg for a rest. The coach shook his head and pointed to a roped-off lane where a lone man swam. Back and forth . Never stopping. He was swimming before our practice began. He swam during our practice, and continued long after we'd left! We did not know anyone could swim so far!

That was our first introduction to a young Ted Erikson.

Later, in the late 1960's, one of us swam off Lake Michigan's 57st Beach, Point to Peer, with Ted and a 14yr old Jon as he trained for his first English Channel swim. Again, Ted, with Jon, never seemed to stop. And they both were fast. Very fast!

Later still, in 1992 one of us joined with Ted as the support crew for another swimmer in his successful Channel crossing.

What was constant throughout all those years was Ted's dedication to swimming, his generosity in passing on a wealth of knowledge and experience he'd gained to others, and the encouragement he offered, through both hands-on coaching and the legacy of his many record-breaking marathon swims.

Ted was friend, a mentor, and an inspiration. We are all fortunate to have known him.

Pam Perkins

December 30, 2021

Your love is always with us.
Our feelings we can't hide.
And though I cannot see you,
you are always by my side.

Ross Petersen

December 29, 2021

I remember Ted, a remarkable guy. He used to come to our school, to watch his son, John, play basketball. He was a great athlete, I remember him swimming all the way to Michigan City, then he turned around - and swam back to Chicago.

Pam Perkins

December 25, 2021

I miss you, Dad.

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