Obituary of George Carl Erdman

A friend to many, George drifted peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on January 29th.  Despite years of illness, he strove to fulfill the Apostle Paul’s admonition: to “fight the good fight” and “run the race” he had been given.  He won. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, on July 4th, 1949, his family nicknamed him “Bing” (because his big sister—a two-year-old—could not pronounce “bang.”) He grew up in Nutley, NJ—the son of George and Geneva (Lake) Erdman.  After graduating from Nutley High in 1968, he attended Northland College in Ashland, WI, earning a BS in Chemistry and Biology in 1972. From the ski hills by Lake Superior, he headed out to the smog of Pasadena, CA, to attend Fuller Theological Seminary, earning his MDiv. in 1977. He was ordained in the Missionary Church (based in Fort Wayne, IN), and served as pastor of the Orangevale Community Church in a suburb of Sacramento. Feeling cloistered and concerned about those outside the church, he felt called to integrate a career in industry with a life of faith. Thus began his twenty-eight year career with Boehringer Ingelheim, a German pharmaceutical company. Working for BI, he won many awards, including recognition as of one the company’s top thirteen sales reps worldwide. Prior to his illness, George was a gifted athlete: skier, bicyclist, and golfer. Friends bemoaned his skills at penny poker. His passion, though, was ministry to all he met.  He was always active in a local church, wherever BI took him.  In the West, he served as President of the American Lung Association for San Mateo and San Francisco counties. After moving to Ohio, his life as ministry continued. Upon retirement, he served on the Summit County boards of Love In the Name of Christ and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (for whom he led family support groups in Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls). He also served on the board of Journey Covenant Church, where he enjoyed teaching Bible studies. George is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Seefeldt); son Andrew  and his wife, Kari; sister Karen Erdman Paulin; three nephews, one niece, and two grand-nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Nathaniel Mark.  Upon his death, one of George’s wishes came true.  His remains were accepted by MedCure, in Portland, OR, for medical research. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Memorial Fund at Journey Covenant Church, 2679 No. Haven Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44223. Friends may call Thursday, February 5th and Friday, February 6th, from 4-8 PM at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrrow Rd., in Stow. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, February 7th, at 10:30 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2141 5th Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221.