Kevin James Erchinger

Kevin James Erchinger, age 48, died at his beloved Camp Creekside in Seward, Alaska on October 11, 2010. A rosary service was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on October 17, followed by a funeral Mass on October 18, 2010. Kevin was laid to rest in the Seward Community Cemetery.

Kevin was born June 15, 1962 in Seattle, Washington. He moved to Seward, Alaska with his family in 1970, where he lived until 1974, when he relocated to Vashon Island, Washington. He attended Junior and Senior High Schools on Vashon Island, graduating in 1980, having excelled in basketball. Kevin loved living at the family beach home on Magnolia Beach, swimming, fishing, boating, setting crab pots, having bon fires, and spending time with his family and friends. He loved to take his nieces and nephews hot-rodding in his Corvette and for rides in his speed boat, and loved impressing the neighbors with his water skiing skills. Kevin took 2nd place in the Seward Men’s Mount Marathon race three times, and was the winner of the Junior Race in 1979.

Kevin attended Shoreline Community College in Washington. Over the years, he held jobs including deckhand, commercial fisherman, equipment operator for Crowley Maritime, truck driver, and construction worker. He returned to Seward, Alaska in 1999, and spent the last five years of his life serving as property manager for Camp Creekside RV & Trailer Park. Kevin found his peace there, barbequing with his friends and family, watching eagles nesting outside of his window, and watching mama bears teach their cubs to fish in the creek. Kevin shared Saint Francis’ love of animals, and was always seen being followed around by his two dogs and the other dogs in the neighborhood that he fed and cared for.

Kevin was known by his family and friends as a gentle spirit, a kind soul, and a man who shared what little he had with others; he gave food to those who were hungry, and a place to stay to those in need. His family remembers that “He brought much joy and laughter to so many people during his life. By his example, he taught us the most valuable lessons in life; lessons of true humility, humanity, friendship. Lessons of giving of ourselves to, and for, others. He taught us how not to judge others, but to love them and accept them as they are. He taught us how to love without conditions and without boundaries. He was the truest example of unconditional love and true forgiveness that many of us will ever know, and we know that his reward in heaven will be great.”

Kevin is survived by son, Christopher Campbell and grandson Hayden Campbell of Seward; mother, Sharon Erchinger of Seward; brother Shawn (and Carolyn) Erchinger of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sisters Debbie Erchinger and Kristin Erchinger of Seward, and Terri (and Jeff) Cook of Port Orchard, Washington; in-laws Tammy Cassagranda of Seward, and Bruce Brown of Soldotna; nieces Sherri (and Pete) Frontiero, Lindsey Brown, Krystle Cook, Neeka Erchinger, Tori Erchinger, Kaiti Erchinger, and Alison Erchinger; and nephews Brady Erchinger, James (and Stephanie) Cook, Tyler Cook, Dima Erchinger, Vitali Sturdy and Egor Sturdy; and best friends Todd Curtis, Henry Melville, and Karin Sturdy of Seward.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father Robert Alan Erchinger and his dear brother Richard Alan Erchinger.

Arrangements were by the Anchorage Funeral Home.

Paid Obituary.