Erik B. Erlander, 86, a resident of the Harbor since 1972, passed away at Pacific Care Center, Hoquiam, Thursday, July 27, 2017. Erik was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 5, 1931, the son of Johannes C. and May S. (Jacobsen) Erlander. The family went to Detroit, Mich., for work in the 1930s and Erik graduated from high school there. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan for what were then the final stages of the Korean Conflict.

He married Norma Treacy in Detroit on July 2, 1952. They later divorced in 1968.

He worked for Bell & Howell Co. in the sales of camera and audio equipment and was transferred to Washington from the Midwest in 1963, working mostly in the Puyallup area.

After his marriage to Darlene M. Green Melville in Edmonds on Feb. 17, 1972, they resided in Grayland and established the Melville and Erlander Art Gallery. They operated the gallery until 1992, coming to Aberdeen to live.

Erik joined the Aberdeen Elks Lodge 593, BPOE and played in the Elks Lodge Orchestra. He received his first flute at 16, playing in the school band in Detroit. This band toured the U.S. and Europe. His service at the Elks Lodge included serving on several committees.

He enjoyed wood carving which ran hand in hand with the art gallery in Grayland. He always enjoyed photography, playing the flute and of course, his association with the Elks Lodge.

Erik was proud of his Norwegian heritage and his name strongly reflected this. The family name “Erander” had been changed over the years to “Erlander”. His middle name really had a Norwegian background, Brynjulf, means “armed wolf” in Norwegian lore.

Erik is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the family home in Aberdeen; three sons: Eric N. Erander, Oakville, Wash., John and wife Victoria Mortensen, Rochester, Wash. and Dean A. and wife Tami Melville, Spanaway, Wash.; three daughters: Heather and husband Todd Mortensen-Wheeler, Gig Harbor, Wash., Tammi and husband Gary Graham, Westport and Kathy Marie Graham, Ocosta; and also 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Raymond Lee Melville, and a daughter, Susan Erander and a brother, Russell Erander.

A celebration of Erik’s life will be held at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge 593 on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 3 p.m.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.