Deceased Classmate: Earle Helgerson
Date Of Birth: Feb. 22, 1948
Date Deceased: Apr. 2, 2003
Age at Death: 55
Cause of Death:
Classmate City:
Classmate State:
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Army West Point
Survived By: Daughter Shannon
West Point memorial website: http://defender.west-point.org/service/eulogies.mhtml?u=28771
Posted by Bob Miller on September 13, 2014:
Earle ... My best friend from third grade thru high school. I lost track of you in the late 80's and I'm sorry for that. I have always loved you like a brother and l will mourn your passing. I wish I could have been there for you.
Posted by Scott Self on October 24, 2012:
If it weren't for guys like Earle, guys like me wouldn't have made it through. He was my roomie when he was the company CO and I was his XO. Even with a full schedule he found time to help me out when I struggled academically, and that wasn't just firstie year.
I used to travel a lot for business and would always stop in LA to see Jon Severson and Earle on my way home. It was a happy time for the three of us. Jon kept me up to speed on Earle.
I don't know why Earle's life was cut short, but I will say that in the years he had with us he gave of himself more than most people know. I am thankful for Earle.
Posted by Jim Sullivan on July 16, 2010:
Earle was my buddy. He was a good classmate, smart as they came and ready to help out the academically challenged- most of us. He was so smart you could hear it.
He struggled, Lord how he struggled, his whole life. And in the end, the struggle consumed him and he died, though he gave it a good last fight. Jon Severson and the others in H4 stood tough with him.
His sweet and beautiful daughter, Shannon, stuck with him to the end, and he died knowing how much she loved him, and also knowing that his classmates cared for him and were behind him.
Please God, hold Earle in your Big Hand.
Love,
Sully
Jim Booth (Booth)
Salute and thank you.
Bob Crigler
Earle and I were competitors!
We started in grade school on the football team. He was offense and I was defense. My first competitive block with him resulted in a chipped front tooth that I carry with me today. He helped me realize that football was not my forte.
Next we had girlfriends that we always were comparing. He did good, so did I.
Grades - that was a hard one. Earle was one smart SOB and trying to keep up with him was impossible. Bob Miller and I tried but some how Earle always got the right answers!
Good looks. - Miller had the girls and Earle and I coasted. You would think otherwise but wiley Miller was a ladies man!
Best Friends - Definitely, Earle and Bob Miller were bestie, no getting around that. Lived close by and always hung out. I was a third wheel and proud of it. We had some good time
Moving On - Earle deserved West Point more than anyone! Top in academics, ROTC and character! To hear his loss is a tremendous loss to my memories. I may have not been his best friend growing up (aka Roberto Miller) I felt I was damn close and so proud to know him!
Bob Crigler