FFRA held a tribute in honor of Erik Joh at the Florida Tech boathouse property in Melbourne, FL on Saturday morning April 6, 2024. The event was well attended with approximately 70 alumni, friends and rowers paying their respects to a humble and gracious man who generously supported Florida Tech rowing for over 20 years.
A video of the 36 minute program is available here. Photos of the event can be viewed on a google drive here. Selected photos are below.
The program included a Welcome from FFRA President, Craig McKay, ’81; Opening Prayer by alum Andy Doan, ’75; and speeches by FIT Board of Trustees Chairman, Travis Proctor; former FIT Athletic Director and Crew Coach, Bill Jurgens; current FIT Head Rowing Coach, Adam Thorstad, ’01; Dartmouth rowing teammate and lifelong friend, Ted Walkley; and loving wife, Caroline Joh. Ted and Caroline unveiled a Memorial Bench in honor of Erik that read, “In Fond Memory of Erik Joh, a Great Man and a Great Friend of FIT Rowing”. The tribute ended with a “Missing Man” row where the Men’s Varsity rowed the Erik Joh eight with two seat empty in honor of Erik while the audience watched in silence reflecting on the legacy of Erik and the positive impact he had on the Florida Tech rowing community.
Erik Joh was a very kind and generous man who was also a strong advocate for rowing at Florida Tech. His passion for rowing developed at Dartmouth where he rowed from 1963 – 1966 and coached 1966-1967. He subsequently became a very successful lawyer and very involved in his community and numerous charities. FIT rowing was blessed when he joined the Board of Trustees in 1998 and started the Intercollegiate Rowing Endowment. He contributed to it every year along with a few others to where it is currently valued at over $336,000. The endowment allowed for the purchase of critical rowing equipment over the years. He retired from the Board of Trustees in 2021. Sadly, Erik succumbed to Alzheimer’s in May 2023.
You can make a donation in Erik’s honor that will be added to his Endowment Fund. Click here to make a donation. FFRA will consolidate the donations into a single check to the Erik Joh Endowment Fund.
