Eric Christiansen

Eric Knight Christiansen, 71, passed away on November 23, 2024. Eric was born on July 14, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, Class of 1971. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio University and later graduated from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University with an MBA in Healthcare Administration. Eric started his career at the Cleveland Clinic in 1975, working as an administrator in Cardiovascular Surgery, General Anesthesiology, the Anesthesiology Institute, and Regulatory Affairs. Eric was proud of his work at the Clinic and made many friends with colleagues there before retiring in 2019.

Eric loved to travel, enjoyed being outdoors, and cherished every opportunity to be at the beach in the Outer Banks. He was a lifelong Cleveland Guardians fan and enjoyed watching baseball games, as well as listening to Tom Hamilton's radio broadcasts.

Eric was a loving son, brother, father, cousin and family man. Eric cherished time with loved ones, friends, and extended family. Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Gerhardt Christiansen and Catharine Knight Christiansen, his sister, Faith Caldwell, and beloved dog Winston.

Eric leaves behind son Scott (Brandy), daughter Ellen, granddaughter Riley, traveling cat companion Scout, many close friends, and extended family. Eric especially cherished time with his children and was a proud supporter of their accomplishments.

Eric suffered a significant stroke in September 2021. While challenged in many ways, Eric maintained a positive, upbeat, and optimistic attitude that so many close to him will remember. He spent the last three years of his life in Concordia at Sumner's Memmer House in Copley, where staff and caregivers became friends and family.

The Christiansen family would like to express sincere gratitude for the kind, compassionate, and loving care Eric received from everyone in the Memmer House.

Eric was a meticulous and serene man throughout his life, down to his final wishes. An excerpt from those wishes reads, "Please express to everyone how much I have valued their friendship and have always treasured the memories we made." In accordance with his wishes, Eric will be cremated and a memorial service held on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 1 PM at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44115. A luncheon will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, Eric would appreciate a donation to the Surfrider Foundation Outer Banks Chapter (https://outerbanks.surfrider.org).