Erik Durchman RIP

Erik Durchman, the brother of Neal Durchman, died on Sunday in Moravian Falls, NC.  The obituary for Erik follows.  Our sympathies to our classmate Neal and his entire family on their loss. Neal can be reached at scarnick8@aol.com.

Mr. Erik L. Durchman, age 63, of Orchard Road, Moravian Falls died Sunday, July 18, 2010 at his home.

A memorial service will be held 2:00, Friday, July 23, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Scott Peterson officiating. Family and friends will gather for a celebration of life in the parish house after the service. The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:30 until 8:00 Thursday night.

Mr. Durchman was born on May 16, 1947, at Lake George, New York to Olli and Marion C. Durchman. He grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Carnegie Mellon University. He was married to the former Lynn Kinard for forty years. They have three sons, Thomas Durchman of Seattle, WA, Jeremy Durchman and son, Lennon of Fayetteville, AR, and Matthew Durchman and wife Stefanie of Mooresville.

He is also survived by his mother, sister, Jeanne Sterrett, brother, Neal Durchman all of Erie, PA, and sister, Cheryl Johnson of Cleveland, OH. He will be greatly missed by a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Erik was passionate about animals, the outdoors, sports, rock music and travel. He spent 30 years in the NASCAR racing business, where he worked in various roles as engine builder, mechanic, chassis manager and machinist. Until his death, he was employed by Penske Racing South in Mooresville. He felt privileged to be a part of racing history and was fortunate to work with many pioneers of the professional stock car racing circuit.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Wilkes, PO Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, Wilkes County Library, 215 10th Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, or to Wilkes County Animal Shelter, 408 Call Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.