Eric Jensen, son of Norman and Nancy Jensen, grew up at Ridgewood – a swimmer, competitor, guard and coach. His passion for swimming continued into adulthood. He volunteered countless hours at the pool. When it needed paint, Eric painted. When a shed was needed, he built the shed. When an extra timer was needed at a swim meet, Eric was behind the blocks. Every year when All City rolled around, he told everyone within earshot and on social media that it’s “The Best Week Of The Year” and celebrated like others celebrate birthdays or Christmas.
Eric served 6 years as the Ridgewood Pool Board President. He was one of the first to realize the pool isn’t going to last much longer and helped lay the groundwork for efforts currently underway to rebuild Ridgewood.
When he and his family were looking for a house, he knew they struck gold by finding one right across the street from Ridgewood. Eric passed his passion for swimming along to his children, all members of the Ridgewood swim team. The summer of 2019 was particularly special as all four of them were on the team together – from the youngest in his first year as a Green Bun, to the eldest in his last before heading off to swim in college.
The summer was shadowed however, by what Eric’s brother so poignantly called the random unfairness of cancer. It struck fast, and took Eric from his family, friends and the Ridgewood Nation sooner than any would have thought possible.
Per his family’s wishes, the Ed Nebbins Foundation is accepting donations in Eric’s memory to help insure Ridgewood will be here for generations to come, providing children and families with the same opportunities Eric loved so much. You may use the link below to make a donation to the Ed Nebbins Foundation’s Eric Jensen Memorial, or mail a check made out to Ed Nebbins Foundation to:
Ed Nebbins Foundation
P.O. Box 930248
Verona, WI 53593-2207