Erik Gothberg Obituary

Gales Ferry - Erik Mark Gothberg, 55, died unexpectedly Dec. 7, 2021. He retired as an officer after serving in the Connecticut Army National Guard, 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot in Groton. During his time with the Connecticut National Guard, he served three active duty overseas tours as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and received many honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service during combat operations with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Iraq. For more than 20 years, he worked for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in hazardous materials, a career that brought him great satisfaction.

Erik was a proud graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He later served as an adjunct professor in Environmental Sciences at SCSU. He pursued his doctoral degree at Leeds University in the United Kingdom.

An accomplished athlete and 1984 graduate of Ledyard High School, Erik lettered all four years in wrestling, his two years playing soccer, and his two years playing football. He was both an Eastern Connecticut Conference and Class M State Open Champion wrestler for the 1983-84 season. He continued to wrestle competitively while at SCSU, which helped put him through college. As an adult, he proudly completed the Marine Corp Marathon, and he regularly participated in the annual Manchester Road Race with his father and brother. In recent years, Erik discovered the joy and freedom of motorcycle riding and enjoyed participating with friends on charity rides throughout Connecticut and Long Island. Erik grew up as an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry.

He is survived by his children, Nicholas and Rylee Gothberg; his grandson, Braydon; his father Eric Gothberg, mother Simone Gauthier, brother Todd Gothberg, sister Victoria Stolzman; his former wife Lisa Palmese, and many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws. He will be missed by many other loyal and loving friends and family.

Erik will be laid to rest with military honors at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Middletown Veteran's Cemetery. A Celebration of Life memorial service will follow at a later date when COVID conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, friends and family suggest donations in Erik's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).