D. Bruce Erickson, 66, professor emeritus in the Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, died Dec. 23 at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo. The memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo.

Erickson earned a bachelor's degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and a doctoral degree from Yale University, both in mathematics. He accepted a position at NDSU in the mathematics department in 1975. He was hired as part of a small group of faculty who would go on to create a major in computer science. Later, he was a founding member of the computer science department when it was officially formed. Within the department, Erickson served for many years as undergraduate coordinator as well as associate department chair.

Erickson's main academic interest was undergraduate teaching. He also was well known for teaching the mathematical foundations of computer science, a core course in the graduate program.

An accomplished musician, Erickson played the tuba, euphonium and baroque music on the recorder. He played in the NDSU concert band, was a regular performer with the Lake Agassiz concert band and subbed for the FM Symphony.

Survivors include Erickson's wife, M. Joy Erickson, an employee in the NDSU Division of Fine Arts, two children and one grandson.