Eric Michael Mauer

Eric Michael Mauer passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, after complications from a fall. Born on March 5, 1966, in Royal Oak, MI, Eric spent his happy childhood in Anchorage, AK playing ice hockey, camping, and listening to disco, before moving to Bainbridge Island in 1979.

The friendships he forged on the island lasted a lifetime and involved annual backpacking and fishing adventures with his high school buddies. His new friends steered Eric away from disco to the more “cool” music of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and AC/DC, and music became one of Eric’s many passions. He loved listening to classic rock as well as playing the guitar, eventually forming the band Frogwater with his wife Cheryl and friends. Eric met Cheryl in the fall of senior year at Bainbridge High School during history class. They danced to Michael Jackson’s entire Thriller album at a party and have been inseparable ever since.

Eric graduated from the University of Washington and had a successful career in commercial banking where he specialized in the seafood industry. He was very proud that during his career he never had a deal go south. His colleagues jokingly dubbed him “Pessimist Boy” but his caution served him well. Over the decades he made lifelong friends with his colleagues and customers, taking many memorable fishing trips to Alaska and Canada. He hosted clients at concerts and sporting events and considered that one of the greatest perks of his banking career.

Eric relished time outdoors whether he was bird watching, vegetable gardening or floating a river in his drift boat. He was an avid fisherman his entire life, catching his first fish at age 4 ½. In recent years he enjoyed fly fishing and entertaining friends at Seventh Heaven Ranch along the Yakima River. Eric loved nature and all creatures. He once rescued a bunny hopping down Miller Road, and bunny “Stu” became a family pet for 10 years. Eric had a special affinity with owls and his Alaska Y-guides name was “Little Owl”. On one memorable occasion after a long hike up the Elwha River, a Sawett owl landed on his head during dinner. More recently he was able to experience the beauty of flying an owl to his gloved hand in the Cotswolds.

Eric missed playing ice hockey but took up soccer in high school. Throughout his life, he stayed active with mountain biking, skiing, hiking, CrossFit, and boxing. He pushed himself to stay fit even as his illness progressed, completing a Spartan Race in 2018 shortly before his diagnosis.

Above all else Eric’s biggest joy in life was his family. From the moment his daughters were born, first Josie and then Jamie, he was focused on their happiness and well-being. He loved sharing his hobbies with them, teaching them how to ice skate, ski, and fly fish, but most of all instilling in them his unwavering strength, kindness, and generosity. While he preferred to spend vacation time in the mountains, he overcame his aversion to crowds to brave Disneyland and even NYC with his precious girls. He proudly celebrated every milestone with them as they grew up, graduated from high school, and went on to college. Eric loved having the girls home for holidays, especially Christmas. They will carry on the family traditions he cherished, from searching out the perfect tree to setting up an intricate Christmas village and train.

Eric is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 32 years, Cheryl, and their two daughters Josie (Ben) Jensen and Jamie Mauer. He is also survived by his parents Michael Mauer and Tricia Grace, brothers Todd (Ellie) Mauer and Ryan (Lisa) Mauer, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind Rudy, a very spoiled King Charles cavalier spaniel who misses the treats Eric snuck him under the table.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, June 29th at Bountiful Farm, 8045 Fletcher Bay Road, Bainbridge Island.

Remembrances may be made to MultipleSystemAtrophy.org or the Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.