Eric Platt

Eric Platt, of Spokane, died at home on May 20, 2016. Eric lived in the world with joy and quiet strength, before and after his diagnosis of ALS in 2011, and left this life peacefully.

Eric was born Feb. 17, 1948, to Yvonne and Earl Plackett in Topeka, Kansas. He moved to Butte when he was 2 and Kalispell when he was 12. Eric graduated from Flathead High School in 1966 and, after a year at Flathead Valley Community College, graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting in 1971. Eric served six years in the Montana Army National Guard and worked in credit union management for 28 years, moving from Montana to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he met his wife, Barbara.

After a move to Washington state in 1999, Eric worked in commercial banking for 12 years with U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Bank as an analyst, senior analyst, business banker, business banking manager and vice president. Throughout his career, Eric served on the boards of many civic organizations, including the board of trustees for Flathead Valley Community College.

Eric was a rodeo champion in the team roping event as well as the owner and driver of a racing hydroplane. Although he moved on to less dangerous activities, Eric was happiest being active outdoors — fishing, hunting, skiing, scuba diving or golfing. While living in Spokane, Eric and his wife spent a great deal of time at their recreational home in Libby.

Eric is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara S. Echo; his two children, Jaymie (Platt) Grow and Jason Platt, and their mother, Hootie Dodge; his brothers, Mark Plackett and Lynn Platt; his sister, Karen Rhom; and his four grandchildren, Gabe, Luke, Sydney and Max Grow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Silver Valley ALS ride, Team Riders on the Fly, Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association; www.alsa-ec.org.

A memorial celebrating Eric’s life will be held at a private residence at 3 p.m. on June 4 at S. 8727 Southfork Lane, Spokane, WA.