Loss of Reg.12 activist, leader mourned

By SHERRY HALBROOK
PEF is grieving the loss of Region 12 activist Eric Lindemann, 56, who died at his home in Yaphank November 1.
Lindemann was a PEF Division 232 steward at the state Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) in Hauppauge, where he was a real property analyst 1. He joined PEF in 1985.

In 2002, Lindemann was appointed by PEF President Roger Benson to lead Region 12 while a special election was held to fill a mid-term vacancy in the coordinator position. Lindemann also served on the PEF Executive Board from mid-1998 through July 2009 in Seat 155, representing members at ORPS and at the Adirondack Park Agency.

“I used Eric as my sounding board for many years, because I knew he would give me an objective and unbiased opinion,” said PEF retiree Mike DeVoe, who founded and led Division 232 until he retired in 2009. “Eric was diligent and meticulous. He thought things through before he offered advice. He was a dear friend and colleague.”

“Eric was a very delightful person,” said PEF Region 12 Coordinator Dee Dodson. “He had the warmest and most infectious smile. He was soft-spoken and even-tempered, and he devoted many years as a union activist.
“He was an effective board member, workplace advocate, steward, delegate and Region 12 political activist,” Dodson said.

“Eric surely will be missed,” Division 232 Council Leader Dan Gould said. “He was kind, quiet, gentle, intelligent and contemplative, yet effective in speaking for our members. Eric loved union work and worked on many PEF projects. We will cherish his memory.”

Lindemann is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two children.