Eric was born in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to CA in 1990. He graduated from Temecula Valley HS in 2002, and subsequently from UC Riverside in 2005 with a BA in Political Science. For several years, he worked in banking as a loan officer and personal banker at WAMU, Chase, and SDCCU before deciding to pursue a career in teaching. He chose to focus on moderate to severe Special Education where the need was greatest, and where he and his team could make the best education experience possible for every student. At the time of his death, he taught a combined 2nd/3rd grade Special Ed class at Little Lake Elementary School in Hemet, CA. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Elisabeth, and his brother Drew.  The family encourages contributions to the Epilepsy Foundation.