Roy Erickson Source photo by Deanna Rose

Because of the many ways 83-year-old Erickson volunteers his time and energy, Mary Anne David nominated him for an “A Step Above” award as the Senior Volunteer of the Year.

Shelby Township resident Erickson has an important appointment every other Thursday afternoon, when he picks up packages of hot food to deliver for Meals-on-Wheels. It takes him about an hour to an hour and one-half to complete his route, but he does more on those routes than just dropping off meals to people.

Whenever he would stop to deliver food for a woman at one particular house, Erickson would help her plant some flowers, change light bulbs or other little things she couldn’t do very easily.

One time, there was a man along his route who wanted a pair of blue jeans but couldn’t drive to the store. The next time Erickson and his wife, Donna, were at the store, they purchased some blue jeans and Erickson dropped them off along with a meal to the man the following week.

It’s the little things like that why David nominated Erickson for the award. “Never have I encountered someone as generous with his time for people in need as Roy,” David said. “It doesn’t matter who needs help - whether it be for doctor appointments, shoveling driveways, giving rides and more - Roy is there to help. He does so with a cheerful attitude.”

This winter, Erickson was busy clearing the snow for his neighbors, but his wife said he enjoyed the task. “He likes to get out on his tractor when it snows,” she said.

When time allowed, Erickson plowed some of his neighbors’ driveways after clearing his own and the street. “Most people appreciate it,” he said.

In addition, Erickson also volunteers his time to several different groups. He’s been a member of the Utica/Shelby Rotary Club for nearly a decade, including stints as the club’s president and the editor of its newsletter.

He’s packed up groceries for needy families through the Evola Music L.I.F.E. Club, which is a group whose members play the organ at nursing homes and other charitable events.

For more than 35 years, Erickson has been a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, spending many of those years as a revered elder and secretary for the elder board. He’s helped out with landscaping at the church, playing handyman on the premises when needed. The church’s investment insurance organization, Thrivant, is coordinated through Erickson, as well.

Erickson is also a retired member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, a Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence member and was in the 29th division of the United States Army during World War II.

Born in Ironwood, Erickson graduated from Michigan Technological University with a mechanical engineering degree. He raised four children with his wife of 45 years, who passed away in 1994.

Erickson met his current wife, Donna, nearly 10 years ago at Evola Music and the duo have been married for five years. Between them, they have a large number of descendants - 56 total, including their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all of their spouses.