Jon Erickson, a mechanical engineer at MBARI for nearly 30 years before retiring last fall, passed away on March 13 at the age of 78.

Erickson joined MBARI in 1997, contributing his extensive skills and passion for marine engineering to advance the institute’s work. He provided engineering design and analysis support for many MBARI projects, including autonomous underwater vehicles, shipboard systems, and deep-water oceanographic moorings.

“Jon’s contributions to MBARI cannot be overstated,” said Mechanical Engineering Lead Andrew Hamilton. “Dozens of projects and hundreds of people benefited from his presence. He has left a legacy that lives on in all of his excellent work.”

Born in Berkley, California, Erickson always had a deep connection to the ocean. His father and grandfather were both ship captains, and the Bay Area’s maritime culture was an important part of his upbringing. In 1971, he earned a degree in oceanography from Humboldt State University. During the Vietnam War, he joined the United States Navy, then began a civilian career with the USGS Marine Geology Division before earning a master’s in mechanical engineering from San Jose State University in 1992. 

His experience with the technical side of oceanography as an ocean-going technician and field engineer was an invaluable asset for MBARI researchers.

“Jon mentored us in engineering topics of all sorts,” recalled Hamilton. “His breadth of expertise and willingness to share were impressive. MBARI is better and more capable for having had him here.”

Erickson was eager to share his engineering expertise not only with his peers but also with the next generation of marine engineers. In 2019, he mentored Team Ocean Quest, a group of middle- and high-school students from Silicon Valley that won the NOAA Bonus Prize Round of the global Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE competition. Erickson was also an active member of the Marine Technology Society and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Read more about Jon Erickson’s life.

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