Eldon Eugene Erb

Born March 4th, 1932, in Hubbard Oregon, to Grant Ulysees and Mary Zurlindin Erb, Eldon Eugene Erb returned home to be with his parents, siblings, and son on May 14th, 2025. Although he held several titles throughout his professional career, the ones he most cherished were husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, son, brother, friend and fisherman.

Eldon was a proud veteran of the Armed Forces.  After graduating from Woodburn High School, he joined the Navy in 1950, serving in the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Kermit Roosevelt and USS Alstede, mechanic ships supporting the USS Missouri. He was honorably discharged on May 14th, 1954. 

While in elementary school, Eldon met Twila Fern Medearis and they became not only life long friends but husband and wife on May 28th, 1957.  For 68 years he guided his family through challenges, opportunities, and growth. He and Twila welcomed four children into their home: Marshall (Debora), Julie Glick, Steven (Arlene) and Terry. Nine grandchildren: Jackelyn, Melissa, Emilee, Shaun, Karin, Jason, Michelle, Brooke and Kendell. Ten great-grandchildren: Ryder, Hadley, Winny, Cooper, Zoey, Alex, James, Lucy, Margaret, and Molly.     

Eldon’s career was with the Southern Pacific Railroad as part of the Signal Department.  He and his family spent a large portion of the 1960’s in Sacramento and Los Angeles and then Eldon & Twila relocated their family to Eugene Oregon.  He was thrilled to have brought his family to Eugene, close to extended family and a short jaunt from his favorite place – Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City.  He eventually retired in 1985 after thirty years with the railroad.

Everyone was welcome in his home, where no one was a stranger for very long.  You could come for a cold brew, a hearty meal, or just to sit and talk about life.  He found solace in taking family and friends salmon fishing on the TriplEEE dory, an ocean fishing vessel built by him and his family.  Eldon began visiting Cape Kiwanda as a teenager with his brother in-law, and in August 2022 celebrated 80 years of being part of the Dory fishing community.  After his retirement, Eldon spent every summer at Cape Kiwanda, fishing for Salmon and camping at Webb County Campground.

Ironically, Eldon did not like to eat fish unless it was smoked salmon.  He perfected his smoking brine and excelled at this craft; often sharing this delicacy with everyone.  His children and grandchildren were overjoyed when he would provide them with cans of his smoked salmon.

Eldon was a devoted University of Oregon football fan.  He watched and rooted for the Ducks; he even painted his beloved dory boat green and yellow.  His trucks had to be green and he moved his magnetic “Go Big Green” decal onto each new truck.  He constantly held out hope that this year they would win the Natty. Coach Lanning, if you are reading this, please know Eldon is now rooting from heaven and doing all he can to tilt the field in favor of the Mighty Ducks.  

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Mary; his 4 older siblings—Raymond, Virginia Bell, Leland, Bernadine Mendenhall; and his youngest son, Terry.