Erick Louis Fehlberg, son of Erick Louis Fehlberg and Lillian Opal Lacher, was born Feb. 26, 1928, in Kalispell. He passed away June 23, 2008, in Bakersfield, Calif.
He was raised to be very independent, as his father died when he was young.
Erick married his high school sweetheart, Verna Patricia Buckmaster, and worked very hard to create a life for them and their children during their 61 years together.
Erick enlisted in the United States Air Corps in 1946, served three years teaching math, and used the GI Bill to obtain two bachelor's degrees, one in civil engineering and the other in geology. These degrees enabled him to find employment with Shell Oil Company where he rose through the ranks during 33 years of service to finish as a senior staff reservoir engineer. Erick helped develop the method for steam injection extraction in the Bellridge Field in California which was used to help extract the heavy crude oil found there. His ideas saved money and time in many other difficult drilling areas such as the Athabasca Tar Sands Oil Shale Fields in Canada.
Upon retirement in Bakersfield, Erick devoted many hours to family genealogy and gardening.
Erick Fehlberg is survived by his wife, Patty; four children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His children include Steve Fehlberg, Laurie Fehlberg, April Mitchell, and K.T. Irwin. The grandchildren are Christy McCarthy, Andrea Nedved, David Snell, Jennifer March, Mason Mathews, Lindsey Mitchell, Alicia Rice, Jamie Mitchell, and Reese and Skye Irwin. Great-grandchildren are Brandon and Sophia, with another on the way.
Erick's children credit him with instilling in them a strong work ethic and a high value for education. Through the many moves and summer travels to visit lifelong friends in Montana, the Fehlberg family became very familiar with all of the beautiful and historic areas of the Western United States. Their father spent endless hours trying to teach them the patience and techniques required for fly fishing, a sport Erick did with great finesse and success. "May he enjoy that great North Fork of the Flathead River in the sky."