Dear Marcia, Becky, Jenny, I am so sorry about Erik’s passing. He made an impact on the world in so many ways. He was my first mentor at Wisconsin, and he was just wonderful. I, like so many, many others, have learned so much from him, over the last several decades, and over the last several weeks. He was a light in the world.

I only recently learned about Erik's blog and I, too, am inspired by his writing about this last stage of life. I wrote Erik an email a day or two before he died, which he probably did not see, telling him how a little stuffed lion he gave me at a baby shower a couple of weeks before my daughter was born became a constant presence in our family. All of my daughter's friends through the years, various boyfriends, and her husband have known and loved Leo the Lion and have known that Leo was a gift of "Erik Wright, my mom's dissertation advisor." Jenny had just joined Erik and Marcia's life when I met with him before deciding to come to Madison for a PhD. He was the best supporter of grad students with babies and young children and I thnk this part of him -- his love of children, helped establish the importance of making children welcome at the American Sociological Association meetings and other events. We met at the West Cost Socialist Social Scienc conferences in the woods in Northern California (fondly called "commie camp") back when he was at Berkeley, and I'd play guitar while he played fiddle and we got people singing, and then of course he'd get people dancing. These are parts of Eric that I treasure, even more than the wonderful teacher and mentor that he was. My daughter says that 35-year-old Leo the Lion will always have a piece of Erik in him. I think Erik would like that a stuffed Lion he gave as a gift grew into a "real" lion who had tea parties, travelled to many countries, sang songs, told stories, and still sleeps in bed with his 34-year-old owner and her husband. My blessings to Marcia, Jenny, Becky, and the grandchildren, who hopefully will have a piece of their grandfather in the stories he told and gifts he gave when they are 34 years old! With love, Carolyn Howe

So sorry to hear about Erik's passing. Many years ago he visited the Sociology Dept. at the University of Kansas and participated in a graduate seminar:
"The Value Controversy." This was organized by a student group known as the Marxist Collective. The Collective organized an old fashioned "hoe down"
at a barn near Lawrence. We all drank too much beer and danced well into the night. Erik played a wicked fiddle for us. He was an engaging, supportive
mentor and a new friend to all of us. I still love telling stories about his visit and the hoe down. All the best to his many friends and family.
Best, Dr. Dean Braa, Western Oregon University

This is so very sad to hear. I expected that Erik would be an exception to this disease just as he was an exception in all things. The exceptionally brilliant mind. The exceptionally kind professor. The exceptionally human intellectual giant. He touched so many hearts and minds and I feel lucky and privileged to have been one of them. My deepest sympathies to his family and close friends. He will be sorely missed in this world. Love.

My deepest sympathies to Erik's immediate and extended family.

My deepest condolences to Erik's family. I was his advisee for one full decade during which he was always very supportive to me. I especially am grateful to him for his constant concern for my wife when she had a serious kidney problem. Even my son got some help from Erik when he was attending UW-Madison. He will be missed by all of us. I am glad to have had the opportunity to translate Erik's Real Utopias into Korean a few years ago. The book was well received in Korea. His legacy will live on in this distant country, too, and in my memory.

I am desperately sad to hear the news, and send my deepest sympathy. I am just the mother of a graduate student, and have been very impressed and grateful for Erik's care and support for all his students. His influence and inspiration will live on in those who studied with him.

My condolences. I only met Erik briefly but his work had a profound impact on my PhD thesis work and continues to inspire and inform me in current work. And as a human being. Hoping to keep working in his spirit.

My deepest condolences to Erik's family and friends.
Rohini

Dear Marcia, Becky and Jenny,

We are deeply saddened to hear of Erik's passing. Our lives have been enriched by his friendship, and for Rob, his mentorship. And as in life, he leaves through his blog, a legacy of love, deep insight, goofiness and hope. Thank you for sharing him with the world. Much love.