REVEREND ERIC H. WERTS
3/20/1944~2/14/2011
Our dearly beloved Reverend Eric Hilary Werts went home to the Lord in Vancouver, WA, on February 14th after a three-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was born on March 20, 1944 in Los Angeles to Frank and Virginia Werts. He was the second of six children. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1961. Eric joined the California Jesuits the summer of 1961 and did his training in Los Gatos, CA. While with the Jesuits he graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and received his Masters of Divinity from Berkeley. He remained with the Jesuits until 1979. In 1980 he went to work in Silicon Valley for ROLM/IBM/Siemens. He started as an Instructor and retired 25 years later as a highly respected Senior Software Engineer.
In 1982 he met his beloved future wife Ruth. They were married in 1984 and recently celebrated their 26th anniversary. They both loved to travel and spent many wonderful years traveling around the world. Eric retired in September 2005 and in May 2006 they decided to have a retirement adventure on the East Coast. They rented their home in Los Gatos, CA and moved to Portland, Maine for two years. It was a great adventure but six months before coming back to California, Eric was diagnosed with ALS.
They returned to California in June 2008 to sell their home and move to Vancouver, WA so they would be close to the Providence ALS Clinic in Portland, OR.
In April 2010, Eric was received as an Episcopal Priest at St Luke's Episcopal Church in Vancouver, WA. He was an active priest until the end of July when he was unable to continue due to his health.
Eric fought a good fight but ALS is relentless and always wins.
Eric is survived by the love of his life, his wife Ruth; his adored daughter, Robyn and her amazing husband, Mike Lewis; sisters, Anne Morrissey (Rich), Genny Delaney (Tom); brothers, Mark (Amanda), Paul, Carl (Melinda). Other family members include his wonderful aunt, Sister Judith Vaughan O.P.; and uncle, Richard Vaughan S.J.; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear and close friends.
He was admired and loved by so many, he will be truly missed but never forgotten.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver on Saturday, February 26th at 3:30 p.m. with reception to follow. Memorial services will also be held in San Jose, CA and Los Angeles, CA at a later date.
Eric generously donated his body to ALS Research to help find a cure for this horrible disease.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the ALS Association, 700 NE Multnomah St., Ste. 870, Portland, OR 97232 or to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98663.
We would like to thank the ALS Association, Hospice Southwest and our fabulous Community of Care group for all the wonderful support and love they gave to us on this journey.
Please sign the Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I got to know Eric and Ruth through my church. I was absolutely thrilled to see him become an Episcopal priest there. God speed, Eric, and may God always shine his face on you in glory.
Claire Johnston
March 5, 2011
Mr Werts,
I have come to really appreciate the time my classmates and I spent
in your Latin class !
Thank you for being a great teacher
and really caring about us.
God Bless you and your family !
Mike McCormick
Jesuit H.S. 1973
March 1, 2011
My condolences to Mrs. Werts and your family. Eric was my history teacher freshman year at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, California. My classmates and I will miss him.
Greg Burke, JHS 1973
March 1, 2011
My heart goes out to Eric's family (he will always be Mr. Werts to me). It is good to know that he achieved happiness in his life apart from Jesuit, yet he left too soon. May you rest in peace, old friend. Your former student, Phil Lo Duca.
Phil Lo Duca
March 1, 2011
Eric had a strong influence on my life as I was growing in faith. From 'spinach salad to scrabble to talking, he challenged me to be a better person.
Aggie Noriega
February 28, 2011
Eric, Ruth, Robyn, & Mike have made permanent & strong impressions on me. It was humbling to be part of the care team. It was inspiring to have Eric as a priest in my parish. It was excellent to share readings & discussion with this sharp mind. It was too short a time that i knew Eric, but the depth made up for it. It was wonderful to have Eric for a friend. I know that he has had questions for God, & they are conversing right now. The body is gone, but the spirit is not. Most decidedly not. Peace be with Eric, & with us all.
Den Mark Wichar
February 22, 2011
Eric will be deeply missed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could make you laugh with his many jokes. I will always remember the wonderful poem he wrote for his beloved wife
Marilyn Bauman
February 21, 2011
Nick and Eric had some very wonderful conversations over the last couple of years, and I am so happy that they were a comfort to each other as they both travel/ed the path that their illnesses have brought them.Those conversations are treasured memories just as Eric is a very treasured friend and will be with us in spirit forever. God Bless you Ruth, Robyn and Mike.
Charlene & Nick Border
February 21, 2011
Dear Uncle Eric: You will be missed! Your loving devotion to your family and your courage in the face of adversity are examples we will forever carry with us. My preschool-age kids tell me I should not be sad because you are now an angel. What they are too young to understand is that you already were one even when you were with us! Jennifer & family
Jennifer Morrissey
February 21, 2011
Eric embraced God no matter what came his way, and how he felt. I admired how he showed me that a Christian is not just a Christian in good times, but always. I will miss him.
Annette Lessmann
February 20, 2011
May the God of all Consolation comfort each of you.
I had the privilege of reading Fr. Eric's reflections and comments on the PFO blog. He was a Blessing.
He will be deeply missed.
May perpetual Light shine upon Fr. Eric and grant him eternal rest.
Carol Lawrence
February 20, 2011
John has known Eric since high school and I since he met Ruth. He was an amazing and devoted husband, father, friend, and spiritual leader. I believe that his unwavering awareness of his blessings and his unflailing devotion to God helped him battle his disease with courage and acceptance.May the peace he brought to others be with him now.
Pat Emard and John Wiechman
Pat Emard
February 20, 2011
I remember Eric as always being upbeat in front of us. I admired him for his attitude and his genuine caring for others. Even though we only knew him for the past 2 1/2 years, we will miss him immensely.
Melanie and Shelby Kenoyer
February 20, 2011
Dearest Ruth, Robyn, and Mike,
Our wonderful Eric is at peace. My prayers of heartfelt sympathy are with you during this time of healing. Eric was a gift to all of us and you three were a huge gift to him. God bless you for all that you did for Eric. He knew he was loved.
Jeannie
Jeannie Mullins
February 20, 2011
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