Eric Legstrom - Obituary

******* A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 11am. Those who wish to attend should arrive at the Administration Building at no later than 10:30am *************** Eric Legstrom, son of the late Dorothy Genuske Legstrom and William Legstrom died Friday, January 31, 2014 after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Eric was born in Youngstown Ohio on February 18, 1943. Eric spent his summers sailing and received his first sailboat when he was 6 years old. He became proficient in this sport and began winning trophies at the age of 9. When he retired from sailing in the early 1980’s due to a back injury, he had accumulated over 500 trophies and was listed in the international One Design Sailing publications as an “Olympic” class sailor. He learned to hunt at the age of 10 and shot his first deer at the age of 11. He developed his shooting skills to the extent that his nickname in hunting circles was “Deadeye”. Eric graduated from Youngstown University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and later gained his Masters from Georgetown University. During the Vietnam War era he was a Naval officer assigned to the National Security Agency. Eric spent his working career at what is now Verizon. He had many assignments over the years but his most interesting was as Strategic Planner. Eric had many interests outside of the office. He was an excellent skier, built furniture, and taught his daughter Krista and his two step children Peggy and Michael, and all 11 of his grandchildren how to fish and crab. While Eric enjoyed many activities, Motorcycling was his passion. He was a long time member of the US Military Veterans Motorcycle Club. As an ordained minister he served as chaplain for many years. He administered to the biker community and performed over 30 weddings. Over the years Eric rode in almost every state in the Union including Hawaii. His biker name was, of course, Deadeye. His wife of 34 years, Ellen Fitzgerald; his daughter Krista Legstrom Depeyrot, her husband Philippe Depeyrot; his stepson Michael Fulton, his wife Kendall Fulton; and his stepdaughter Peggy Fulton Fox and her husband Troy survive Eric. His grandchildren are Julien, Luke, Noah Depeyrot; Amanda Fox Victor, Naomi and Rebecca Fox, Michael Fulton Junior, Marcus and Myles Fulton, Emma and Evan Garcia. Friends may call on Friday, February 7 from 6-9pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A memorial mass will be offered on Tuesday, February 18, at 10 am at Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church, 1070 Cecil Ave, Millersville, MD 21108. Inurnment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1850 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517 Topeka, KS 66675. An Online guest book is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com