Eric Anthony Spieth Obituary

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Eric Anthony Spieth on January 13, 2025 in Olympia, Washington at the age of 61 following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Santa Barbara, CA, to William C. Spieth and Donna Monroe Spieth, Eric’s early life was marked by travels in Europe with his family and the exploration of other cultures, languages, literature and the arts. This early exposure fostered Eric’s lifelong love of books, cinema, design and creative arts.

Eric’s family made their home in Santa Cruz, CA during his formative years where he pursued junior-amateur bicycle racing and developed a lifelong passion for the ocean. He went on to become a dive ship captain and diving excursion leader in the Santa Barbara area for over a decade. He spent countless hours underwater, exploring the Pacific Ocean and sharing his love of the sea and its creatures with fellow diving enthusiasts. These years were also marked by his burgeoning interest in business and entrepreneurship. Eric earned his BA degree in Art, Communication, Design & Digital Film at California State University of the Channel Islands in 2004, and then an MBA in Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship at Cal Poly Humboldt in 2005.

Eric applied these skills in his career as an instructor and lecturer at College of the Redwoods, Humboldt State University, Professor at Central Oregon Community College of Bend, Oregon Plymouth State University and New Hampshire State and, most recently, at the University of Washington, Tacoma and South Puget Sound Community College. Eric was passionate about designing business programs and courses that fostered creative business modeling and innovation. He was equally passionate about mentoring students and championing entrepreneurs, inspiring countless students to launch start-ups and establish themselves in industry.

Eric was predeceased by his father, William C. Spieth. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Melissa Spieth, his step-children Forrest Carter and Mariah Carter, his mother Donna Monroe, his step-mother Kerry Njust, sisters Leslie Spieth, Christa Spieth and Deva Blaisdell-Anderson, as well as his brothers-in-law Fred, Todd and Jason, his niece Natalie, and his extended family. Eric’s legacy is one of passion and respect for the many students to whom he offered support and guidance and devoted his teaching career. Their success was his pride and joy, as earnestly expressed as the pride and joy he felt for his family and friends. His was a legacy reflected in the way he signed every letter, email or text – “All love, Ric.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the GoFundMe site  that has been setup.