Birth date: Sep 21, 1961 Death date: Mar 28, 2013
Erik Christian Zobrist died of natural causes on March 28, 2013 in Lovettsville, Virginia. Born September 21, 1961 in Moline, Illinois, he graduated from Truman High School in Independence in 1979, and from Grinnell College with a Read Obituary
Still thinking about Erik and his kids...always.
I just found out this terrible news. Brought me to tears. Eric was one of, if not my best friend, at VIMS. We had so many good times together, and i have to say I would have had real trouble making those years without him. He was a real good guy!
I have not seen EZ in quite a few years, but I think about him all the time. I think about our trips to see the O's play, our softball days, sampling trips on the Bay Eagle, him helping me move to Raleigh, me helping him move to Columbia, Benthic meetings, etc. This is truly a life lost WAY to soon.
To Eric's family, I send my and my family's most sincere and heart felt belated condolences.
Doug Huggett
VIMS 1987
Zobie (aka "Mr. Baseball") was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew. We had so much fun at Grinnell....teasing him for being so normal. I always enjoyed seeing articles about the Truman Library in the KC Star, because they would always mention his dad -- and that would make me think of Erik.
Erik was one of my dearest friends at Grinnell College. We were dormmates his freshman year, and amongst a cacophonous sea of ostentatious loudmouths, (myself inlcuded) Erik stood out as the Normal Guy: sweet, unassuming, funny, and a true gentleman. He put up with our ceaselsss mockery of the KC Royals with patience, never pretended to know or care much about existentialism, and was generally a bulwark of down to earth reason.
We stayed in touch fitfully after college, and I was delighted to get his occasional late night phone call. We shared stories about our kids and their videogaming habits, reminisced about all our kooky friends, and kept promising to come visit each other...some day. I am so sad that this will never happen, and that my daughter won't have a chance to meet him. Erik never quite realized what a terrific and admirable person he was, or what a special place he had in so many hearts.
Love you always Er-rer.
I will always remember Mr. Zobrist as a wonderful and kind man. I was always struck by how much he loved his children. He will be missed.
Erik moved in next door to us when he was about 8 and I was 7. We spent many summers hiding from the daytime heat and then swimming and talking in the driveways until late at night. He was funny and I don't remember him ever getting mad. When we played baseball he wasn't so great at fielding and pitching but he sure could smack the ball. And he was a thing of beauty when he entered the water, a really graceful swimmer. The last time I saw Erik was when I spent the day with him and Barb Higgins. We were all maybe 19-20, going to different colleges and doing well. I remember seeing him as not just the guy next door anymore, he was a fine person who was a pleasure to be around and I felt lucky that he had been part of my world. I've exchanged a few messages with him over the years, and though internet connections are sometimes panned as being superficial, our exchanges were of great value to me. Sometimes saying someone was "nice" is bland. And sometimes "nice" carries a richness of meaning that can't adequately be put into words. The guy I knew was decent in a way that can't be put into words. I will miss him. Laura Mount
I grew up with Erik living across the street from us in Independence, MO. I was the new kid who moved in during middle school; he was a wonderful friend who helped me get to know people. He, Laura Mount and I would run around the neighborhood goofing around together. I have nothing but fun memories of picking mullberries, running through the mosquito fogging at night, and exploring the nearby forest (that's now a subdivision). Think we had our first taste of beer together too! He dearly loved his family, esp his parents. We lost touch with each other through the years; sounds like he had a wonderful life. I am shocked he is gone so young, he will be missed, I'm sure. A smile from me for all the memories. Barb (Higgins) Barry
So glad we got the chance to get to know each other Erik...you were a pleasure to work with. We'll certainly miss you here at RC...but at least we have the memories!
Erik was a classmate in the arriving VIMS class in the Fall of 1983. I have many happy, silly, fond memories of studying in the old library in the top of Maury Hall, struggling to get to 8 o'clock classes and to design a slack water sampling run for physical, poking good fun at Mory Roberts, Evon Ruzecki, Rudy Bieri and the rest, and lots of time at Hollyrod and elsewhere celebrating anything from the end of the week to the successful move of a wood stove. Erik was so kind, and smart. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
I have fond memories of Erik during graduate school. He went on to serve the Marine Science profession well at NOAA. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Erik!
