September 01, 1923 - March 14, 2016

Dr. Eric Hughes, 92, of Seattle, WA, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2016 surrounded by his family.

A celebration of life service with reception immediately following will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 26 at The University of Washington lower campus, Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Edmundson Pavilion), southwest corner entrance, Founders Club room. GPS address: 3870 Mountlake Blvd. NE, Seattle 98105. Closest public parking lots E12, E1 and E18.

Eric was born and grew-up in Victoria, British Columbia. He attended the University of Illinois where he was a member of the 1942 Gymnastics and 1946 Track NCAA National Championship Teams. His college education was interrupted for a couple years when he served as a Pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II as a Second Lieutenant .

In 1950, Eric came to the University of Washington to earn his doctorate and teach. He was coach of the UW Men's Gymnastics Club team from 1950 - 1954, and continued as Head Coach when the Huskies attained Division I NCAA status in 1955. In retirement he has been a dedicated board member and fundraiser for the UW Men's Gymnastic Club Team.

Eric paddled canoes since the age of four and was active with the Seattle Canoe Club since its formation in 1969 teaching both canoeing and kayaking on Green Lake. He continued to paddle up to his 91st birthday.

Eric is survived by three children, Debbie (David) Youngblood of Portland, OR, Kip (Mary) Hughes of Clarence, NY, and Kim (Doug) Durnford of Everett, WA; four grandchildren, Justin and Sarah Durnford, and Preston and Tori Hughes; two great grandchildren; and a lot of UW gymnasts who Eric considered part of his extended family. 

Funeral Information

A celebration of life service with reception immediately following will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 26 at The University of Washington lower campus, Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Edmundson Pavilion), southwest corner entrance, Founders Club room. GPS address: 3870 Mountlake Blvd. NE, Seattle 98105. Closest public parking lots E12, E1 and E18.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made to the "Dr. Eric Hughes Scholarship Fund" of the University of Washington Men's Gymnastic Foundation; website www.wmgf.us.