Rick Eriksen Nears Goal Line
Rick Eriksen has a plan. The longtime J. Taylor Finley Middle School social studies teacher is retiring at the end of June, but he doesn't intend to settle into a rocking chair anytime soon. There are plenty of activities on the drawing board to keep him busy.
The soon-to-be retiree has developed an impressive set of plans to cover the beginning stages of his retirement. There will be a month long excursion to Alaska and the Northwest Territories along with trips to Portugal, Ireland and Denmark. A cross-country car trip is also on the drawing board.
"Skiing, hiking the Appalachian Trail, kayaking and golf are also in my future," Mr. Eriksen said. "Huntington will always be my home base, where there are also volunteer activities on the horizon."
Mr. Eriksen graduated from Walt Whitman High School and Susquehanna University "back in the dark ages," he said. After teaching for a year at West Hollow Junior High School in the Half Hollow Hills school district, he began a long career at Eastern Airlines.
"When Eastern went out of business, I decided to go back to teaching," Mr. Eriksen said. He came to Finley as a long-term substitute in March 1989 when veteran social studies Donald Godduhn went out on an extended sick leave. Mr. Eriksen was given a probationary appointment the following September and has been a fixture at the school ever since.
Well-known for his amiable, easy-going personality, Mr. Eriksen has gone about his business without seeking fanfare or accolades. He is easy to get along with, is a good listener and always comes up with a quip about someone or something. He likes to laugh.
Over parts of four different decades, Mr. Eriksen has taught seventh and eighth grade social studies and coached football and lacrosse. He's been at Finley for 22 years, covering the tenure of five superintendents, two principals and several department chairs.
"There have been many highlights during that time and many great friendships," Mr. Eriksen said. "Finley is a very special place and I will miss the students and my 'Finley Family.' I hope that my students will remember me as a teacher that cared about them and that my class was where they learned and managed to have a laugh or two."
"Rick Eriksen is a walking library of information about Huntington and national history," said Joseph Leavy, district director of humanities. "His annual visits to historical sights are something remarkable and the knowledge he has gained by such trips, and his extensive reading of U.S. history, has been dispensed to hundreds upon hundreds of students who have passed through his classroom in Finley. Rick will be sorely missed."
The teacher typically arrives at the school early in the morning. Mr. Eriksen's classroom is well-organized and structured. His colleagues will miss him.
Coaching has been a big part of Mr. Eriksen's experience at Finley and he has been called the "Vince Lombardi of middle school football" for his ability to annually churn out one of the top gridiron teams in Suffolk. His lacrosse teams have been equally feared.
"Mr. Eriksen is a gentleman through and through," Finley Principal John Amato said. "In my five years as principal, I can attest to his love of students, history, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and the Huntington community. His positive relationships with his students and athletes will always be remembered."