John Erkman died suddenly at home in San Mateo, California on April 2, 2007. Born to Elizabeth Dooling Erkman and John Erkman in Los Gatos,
California, John and his mother returned to the family home in Hollister, California following his father’s death. John’s education began at Sacred Heart School in Hollister and continued at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees
at Santa Clara University and his doctoral degree in educational administration at the University of San Francisco.
John began his thirty-eight year career in education as a classroom teacher at Sacred Heart School in Hollister. Other classroom experience included
Mission-Nativity School in San Luis Obispo and R.O. Hardin School in Hollister. He moved into school administration first as a vice principal for the Hollister Elementary School District followed by ever increasing positions of leadership with the Cupertino Union School District and the Oak Grove School District. At the time of his death John was the Assistant Head of School at Woodside Priory in Portola Valley. He was also a Senior Lecturer at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont and at Santa Clara University. In addition to his work as an educatorm, John was actively involved in community throughout his life. His most recent involvement included participation on the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization Until There’s A Cure and the Board of Ministry of the Congregational Church of San Mateo.
John is survived by Jim Berthelsen, his partner of 18 years, and Andrew Berthelsen, both of San Mateo. Other family members include John’s
cousins: Kathie and Jeff Gaylord of Los Gatos, California, Stephen Hudner of Hollister, California, Philip and Carla Hudner of Kentfield, California,
John and Jane Erkmann of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim and Mary Erkmann of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Joe and Cathy Erkmann of Overland Park, Kansas, Mary Ellen and Greg Biedel of Eagle, Idaho, Carol and Dave Westerheide of St. Paul, Minnesota and their extended families. The lives of many, many, many more friends, colleagues, current and former
students, and neighbors than can be mentioned here were touched and enriched by this very special man.
Visitation will take place at Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home, 977 South El Camino Real in San Mateo, on Thursday, April 5, 2007 from
11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. and on Friday, April 6, 2007 from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at the Congregational Church of San Mateo.
Memorial funds are being established in John’s honor at Woodside Priory School, 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 and at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, 225 Tilton Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401.
