Eric Wayne Munson, 47, a Highland, resident for more than 20 years, passed away June 22, 2019, following an over 15-month fight with glioblastoma cancer.
Eric created and believed in a wonderful “four circle approach” to life based upon strong beliefs and purposeful efforts as a personal roadmap for his fight with brain cancer. As Eric was pleased to describe it, the first of four circles is “prayer and spirituality” which was his life-long constant; the second is “positive proactivity,” which includes stress reduction and a quest to accomplish goals and (particularly) bring joy to others. The third circle is for “traditional treatment” against his cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, frequent checkups and scans, and personal involvement in researching options and making decisions. The fourth is “alternative actions,” which for him included adopting a low-carb Keto diet and wearing an “Optune” device.
Eric had by no means a typical childhood. He was born at Ireland Army Hospital at Ft. Knox, KY in 1971. Being an “Army brat” meant going to school in Alabama, West Virginia, Texas, Kansas and Virginia, until his father’s last assignment at West Point, NY. Eric added to his own early travels with an O’Neill High School (Highland Falls, NY) trip to Russia. Along the way he learned to play the guitar, making music the first of his lifelong passions.
Eric attended Clarkson University on an R.O.T.C scholarship, and after graduation as a “Distinguished Military Graduate” in 1993, was commissioned as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence branch. After marriage to Michelle “Micki” Yeaw, of Webster, NY, and “Airborne” training, he served at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. For his service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and numerous Army and state commendations. He left the active Army in 1997 in the rank of Captain, next serving in the Washington State Army National Guard while working for Weyerhaeuser Corp. Thanks to his Army training, parachuting became a second passion for Eric.
Eric, Micki and their two young children transitioned to New York in 1999 where Eric joined Pfizer Corp. as a pharmaceutical representative. Subsequently, he worked with Harris Interactive and Diadexis Corp., among other companies, eventually joining the international software provider S.A.P. Corp., as a sales trainer. Mentoring and supporting employees and students became a third passion throughout his working life.
Eric was especially pleased to be a Boy Scouts of America Scout Master in the Highland, area for over 15 years, mentoring many young men through Eagle Scout rank. Scouting and family camping across the USA became a fourth and lifelong passion. Towing a camping trailer, Eric drove the family in his “veggie fuel” Excursion, crisscrossing the US several times, sometimes to kayak, or to scuba dive, or up to the mountains to stand tall in clear air near the eagles.
Eric is survived by his wife, Michelle, sons Matthew and Luke, daughters Abigail and Zoe, and foster son, Joshua Yeaw, his parents Wayne and Kathleen Munson, his sister Amy Mullee and her family, and brother Bryan Munson and his family, as well as sisters-in-law Lisa Henkel, Rose Locke, Ame Secrist, Betsy Carosa, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A gathering in Eric’s honor will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 4 pm. at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, 38 Main Street, Highland A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m.. at St. Joseph’s Church, New Paltz. Interment will follow immediately at Highland Cemetery, Highland, NY. Eric’s spiritual passion for life filled his days. Therefore, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation “in memory of “Eric W. Munson” to Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries, 781 Route 9D, Garrison, NY, 10524, capuchin.org/cyfm/ This ministry has been an important part of the entire Munson family’s spiritual journey for over 30 years.
For directions or to send the family an online condolence or sympathy card please visit our website at torsonememorial.com