717-456-5915
Bom-Wrapper
In Memory of
Erik Johan Mattais
West
West
1941 - 2016
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Mike & Susan Miller and family
"We are so sorry to learn of Erik's passing but know that he is a peace. It was w"
View full message >>>
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Al Lammers
"My condolences to the family. I worked with Erik for a few years (1990-1992). "
View full message >>>
Life Story for Erik Johan Mattais West
ERIK JOHAN MATTAIS WEST, 74 years of age of New Park, Pennsylvania, died Friday,
January 1, 2016.
Erik, a proud Finn, was born in Terjavi, Finland on January 21, 1941 to Frans Vitus Mattson (Wistbacka) West and Maria Alice Viktors Lyts (Wistbacka) West. By the age of 14, he had lost both of his parents causing him to migrate to Kingston, New York to live with his sister, Lis Marie, and finish his secondary studies. He completed the first 3 years of college at Pratt Institute, New York City majoring in Electrical Engineering, while working as a carpenter with his brother Henry and as a chemist assistant before being drafted in 1966 into the US Army. In the Army, Erik graduated from Officer’s Candidate School, Rotary Winged Flight School and Aircraft Maintenance School. During his military service in Viet Nam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal Awards and a Viet Nam Award. He returned to civilian life in 1973 enrolling at Emory Riddle Aeronautical University in Dayton Beach, Florida earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, Cum Laude in Aeronautical Engineering. He turned his education into a successful 27 year aerospace engineering career working on such well known projects as the Space Hubble Telescope, many space programs for NASA and finishing his career as a lead engineer on the F-22 Raptor fighter jet for the US Air Force. One of his most proud moments in his career was to see the first flight of the F-22. After retirement from Lockheed Tactical Fighter Company in Fort Worth, Texas, Erik spent his leisure time reading, watching the NASA channel, occasionally brewing beer, taking sauna’s, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Erik is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret; daughter, Kristine Guidry and her husband, David of Frisco, Texas; son, Karl West, New Park, Pennsylvania; and three energetic grandchildren, Jonathan, Jessica and Julian Guidry of Frisco, Texas.
He is preceded in death by both his parents and his siblings Henry West and Lis Marie Behnke.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, July 2 at 5:00 p.m. at the Advent Lutheran Church, 2230 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the College of Engineering Fund for Excellence at the Daytona Beach Campus, to the attention of the Engineering Department, 600 South Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Heartland Hospice.
January 1, 2016.
Erik, a proud Finn, was born in Terjavi, Finland on January 21, 1941 to Frans Vitus Mattson (Wistbacka) West and Maria Alice Viktors Lyts (Wistbacka) West. By the age of 14, he had lost both of his parents causing him to migrate to Kingston, New York to live with his sister, Lis Marie, and finish his secondary studies. He completed the first 3 years of college at Pratt Institute, New York City majoring in Electrical Engineering, while working as a carpenter with his brother Henry and as a chemist assistant before being drafted in 1966 into the US Army. In the Army, Erik graduated from Officer’s Candidate School, Rotary Winged Flight School and Aircraft Maintenance School. During his military service in Viet Nam, he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal Awards and a Viet Nam Award. He returned to civilian life in 1973 enrolling at Emory Riddle Aeronautical University in Dayton Beach, Florida earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, Cum Laude in Aeronautical Engineering. He turned his education into a successful 27 year aerospace engineering career working on such well known projects as the Space Hubble Telescope, many space programs for NASA and finishing his career as a lead engineer on the F-22 Raptor fighter jet for the US Air Force. One of his most proud moments in his career was to see the first flight of the F-22. After retirement from Lockheed Tactical Fighter Company in Fort Worth, Texas, Erik spent his leisure time reading, watching the NASA channel, occasionally brewing beer, taking sauna’s, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Erik is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret; daughter, Kristine Guidry and her husband, David of Frisco, Texas; son, Karl West, New Park, Pennsylvania; and three energetic grandchildren, Jonathan, Jessica and Julian Guidry of Frisco, Texas.
He is preceded in death by both his parents and his siblings Henry West and Lis Marie Behnke.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, July 2 at 5:00 p.m. at the Advent Lutheran Church, 2230 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the College of Engineering Fund for Excellence at the Daytona Beach Campus, to the attention of the Engineering Department, 600 South Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Heartland Hospice.
Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Erik Johan Mattais West, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.