Rod was born on April 30, 1945 , in Frederic, Wis. to Elliott and Florence Eriksen. Rod married Sharon Allen on March 19, 1965. He worked for 42 years as a crane operator in mill construction and maintenance for Bohemia Inc., Willamette Industries, retiring from Weyerhaeuser.
He was a kind and loving man, a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Rod taught adult Bible study classes and spent many years alongside Sharon teaching and serving the children of Cottage Grove in Sunday School and Released Time Bible classes. His many interests included woodworking, exploring Oregon hiking trails . . .