Steven Edward Eriksen of Marshfield died peacefully on January 3 [2019] after an illness. His wife of 26 years Sarah, his son Kristoffer (of Los Alamos, NM), and daughter Laren (of Madrid, Spain) were with him at the end. He was preceded in death by his parents Erik and Gladys, and his sisters Linda and Karen. In addition to his wife and children, Steve is survived by his five grandchildren. He was 72.

Raised in Needham, Steve’s family spent summers on Standish Shore in Duxbury, where he met his first wife Peggy. After graduation from college they spent two years working in Southern California before returning to the South Shore. Once back in Massachusetts Steve earned an MBA from Boston University and a PhD from MIT in Operations Research. He had a distinguished teaching career, with appointments to the faculty of UMass-Boston, Northeastern University, and a 32 year tenure at Babson College in Wellesley, where he served twice as chair of the Math and Sciences department. He was recognized many times for his excellence in teaching.

In his 20s, 30s, and 40s Steve was an avid runner, competing in 13 marathons, including 6 Boston Marathons. For many years he organized the Marshfield Road Runners summer youth track series. He was a longtime member at Green Harbor Golf Club, where he was club champion in 1974, and had a regular Sunday morning tee time. Later his main passions were spending time with his wife and love of his life Sarah and traveling to visit his children and grandchildren. Steve and Sarah were regular visitors to Martha’s Vineyard, preferring to spend their summer vacations in Aquinnah in secluded cottages with views of the water, and away from the crowds.

His family is planning a small informal memorial service for the summer. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

MacDonald Funeral Home (direct link to obituary)