Although ERIC DROZDOV ’99 found his strength stolen by Lou Gehrig’s disease, he left a lasting impact on family, friends, co-workers, and his alma mater.
Raised in Spokane, Washington, Drozdov graduated from Valley Christian School, valedictorian of his 1995 graduating class. At Seattle Pacific University, he studied electrical engineering and became a sound designer for several SPU theater productions, including An Inspector Calls and Marvin’s Room. He graduated magna cum laude in 1999.
Drozdov became an electrical design engineer at Allied Telesis in Bothell, Washington. He served in the sound booth at his church. And, with a much-stamped passport, Drozdov visited Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, and elsewhere. Home or away, he hit the trails as often as possible.
“Every year he’d plan a vacation to a different place around the world. He was always sure to get in a lot of hiking — including the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru,” remembered his boss, Sean Large, an engineering manager at Allied Telesis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, is a progressive disease of the nervous system that affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and
breathe. There is currently no cure, and Drozdov died of the disease on Oct. 1, 2019. He was 43.
“He was an eternally positive person and was always smiling and joking, even when dealing with ALS,” remembered co-worker Craig Van Hook. “He was quite inspiring.” Drozdov inspired those at SPU, too, where he remembered the University in his bequest.
“We are grateful for Eric’s thoughtful estate gift,” said Marlon Sandlin, director of endowments and gift planning. “His mother, Pam, told me that Eric always appreciated receiving scholarship help from SPU, and he wanted to assist other students.”
Drozdov is survived by his parents, two brothers, a sister, and six nieces and nephews.
