Eric Dale Lothman

Eric was born on February 28, 1961 in Overland Park, Kansas or as he would state "the birthplace of Eric Dale Lothman" to John and Donna Lothman. He was taken from us way too soon on April 18th, 2013. There aren't words to express what Eric meant to his family and friends. He was the greatest husband and father and simply the "best" to all that knew him!
Eric lived many places in his life but considered Chicago, Illinois his hometown. After spending a few years at Northern Illinois studying business he decided to switch to engineering and transferred to Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!) from where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1987. He received his professional engineering license years later and worked most of his life as an environmental engineer for several different companies. At the time of his death he was employed by CH2M Hill in Santa Ana, CA.
He moved to Bakersfield, California after graduation and eventually moved to the Orange County area. He met his soul mate, Pam, at work in 1992 and proposed marriage a year later from the top of Yosemite Falls. They were married on April 9th, 1994. He was a wonderful loving and supportive husband that was willing to put everything on hold to be with Pam. His priority in life was his wife and two wonderful sons. Shawn (Little Man) was born in 1996 and Ryan (Ryno) was born in 1998. He considered these two boys as his greatest achievements in life and would do anything for them.
Family was his top priority. Eric was active in everything his boys participated in –Boy Scouts, baseball, hockey or football. He was a constant fixture at the West Garden Grove Little League (WGGLL) field for many years. When he wasn't coaching he could be found cheering from the stands. His philosophy was to have fun playing ball, work hard and do your best. Eric was also involved in Boy Scouts of America as Cub master, merit badge counselor and mentor. He was supporting Shawn and Ryan's work projects toward achieving their Eagle Scout Rank before his untimely death.
In addition to his commitment to family, Eric had 2 other passions; Yosemite National Park and sports. Yosemite National Park always held a special place for this Midwesterner and he tried to visit as much as possible. Eric loved his sports and was a true fan who stuck by his Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Blackhawks. As a resident of Southern California he grew to love the Anaheim Angels. Through marriage he became a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and expressed amazement that no one in his wife's family had attended ND.
He was infamous for his humorous Christmas letters that reminded all to begin with an adult beverage and ended with "stay thirsty my friends". Eric always had a smile on his face and a one-liner to go with it. He never missed opportunities to make the person he was with feel special. He will be missed terribly by all who knew him, his smile, and laugh will always be remembered.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 10:00 am at Knott Avenue Christian Church, 315 S Knott Ave Anaheim, CA with a celebration of life to follow at the family home.
He is survived by his wife, Pam, sons, Shawn and Ryan, his mothers Donna Schneider of Houston, TX and Renae Lothman of Prescott, AZ ; brothers Paul (Rebecca) Lothman of Montgomery, TX, Carl Lothman of Houston, TX; stepbrothers Greg (Esther) Seagren and Marc Seagren. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Norma; two brother-in-laws, Bill (Vikki) and Don (Doris), several nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his father John Lothman and stepfather Robert Schneider.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Shawn and Ryan's Eagle Projects or in Eric's name to Yosemite National Park at http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/gifts-memory.