Shoreline, WA - Eric, the auto mechanic extraordinaire, has left the garage for the last time. He was 69 years old when he succumbed to complications from diabetes and liver disease.

Eric was the oldest son of Eddie & Ellen Kalvig, born in Seattle, WA. He graduated from Shoreline H.S. in 1974, his favorite class was Auto Shop.

He was a boy on the move from the moment he arrived. Eric, his brother Chris and our dad were active in Boy Scouts for several years and enjoyed the many weekends and 50 mile hikes. School sports included football and wrestling. He was also a talented artist, both oils & drawings. And like our father, he was interested in photography. In his late teens and 20's he had one speed - fast! Cars, motorcycles and boats. He found water skiing & tubing exhilarating, especially on Lake Pearrygin.

His interest in auto mechanics started very early. He and our dad did a major overhaul on our van when he was 12-13 years. He loved to drive and got his license on his 16th birthday. Over the course of his life he rebuilt engines, did body work and painting, and worked on just about every make of car. He rarely ever backed down from a challenge. Over the past 10+ years he had been sharing his skills and knowledge with his son John. A prized possession was a black convertible Corvette. At one point he had 4 1966 Chargers parked across the front of our house, with plans to merge them all. Imagine our mother's delight!

Eric valued his friendships, family and helping people. He had a weekly date with Dirk to watch football games, cheering for the Seahawks.

He loved his guitars, acoustic and electric, and found it relaxing to play at the end of a busy day.

He worked at a metal fabricators business, Ho Yuen Chinese Restaurant, Exhaust Specialties, Hinds Back, and Metro Bus, though he always had a car in a garage to work on.

Eric is survived by son John Kalvig; his mother Ellen Kalvig; brother Chris Kalvig (Jane, son Jonathan), sister Teresa Czaja (Mark, daughters Sofia & Zoe); 1 aunt & 7 cousins. He was preceded in death by our father Eddie Kalvig; all grandparents & many aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in the fellowship hall on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:00, 1315 N 160th St, Shoreline, WA 98133.

If you have any photos of Eric, we would love to use them for a slide show. If you are willing to share stories from Eric's wild and crazy life, please contact us so we can add you to the agenda. Memorial4EricKalvig@gmail.com