Eric Rorstrom

Eric G. Rorstrom of Hays, Kansas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society Home in Ellis, Kansas. He was 88 years old.

Eric was born on July 4, 1937 in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was the son of Hans Alfred Rorstrom (who immigrated from Sweden as a boy in 1904) and Katharine (Mayo) Rorstrom, and was the youngest of their five children. Eric’s sisters and brother were much older than him and he would often joke that he had four mothers and two fathers. The family lived with Eric’s mother’s extended family helping to work the family farm in Framingham until 1944. Eric’s father then moved his family to their own farm in Marlborough, Massachusetts. As his siblings had all moved out by this time, Eric spent the remaining years of his youth as an only child on the farm with his parents. However, during those years there was also an ever-increasing gang of nieces and nephews who would make frequent visits to the farm, especially during the summer months. Eric enjoyed helping with the farm chores (particularly the animals) and going on adventures with his dog Poody. He was a member of the local 4-H club and a good student in school. He learned to drive at the age of twelve using a Jeep (purchased from army surplus after the war) to do chores around the farm.

Following graduation from high school in 1955, Eric attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He began work at the Riley Stoker Corporation in Worcester, Massachusetts following graduation. The previous year he had met his beloved Priscilla, the sister of his fraternity brother Irving Freeman. Eric and Priscilla became engaged and were united in marriage at the Federated Church in Sandwich, Massachusetts on October 15, 1960. They set up housekeeping in a small rented house in Holden, Massachusetts. Life was soon interrupted by the Berlin Wall Crisis and Eric was called into active reserve duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Their first son, James, was born on August 7, 1961 while Eric was stationed in New Jersey. He was later transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served as the company armorer for the 2nd U.S. Army 850th Signal Company until discharged from active service in December of 1962. Although Eric remained on standby reserve until receiving his full discharge in November of 1965, he was able to return to home life with Priscilla and Jim and resume work at Riley. The young couple were able to purchase their first home the following year in Holden, Massachusetts. They welcomed a second son, John, on April 20, 1965.

In 1967, Eric began employment with the United Technologies Corporation and the family relocated to a new home in Marlborough, Connecticut. Initially he worked for the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft division but later transferred to the Turbo Power & Marine division, specializing in gas turbine power generation technology. In 1973 he left UTC and took a position with the Northeast Utilities Service Company, where he remained employed until retiring in 2002. During his 29 years at NUSCO, Eric became the company’s leading expert in the development of clean fossil fuel power generation technology and also lead a design team in the conversion of an old coal burning power plant to refuse burning. As a result, he was often the company representative at national conferences with other major utility companies. He was also the lead consultant for international joint projects with utilities in Japan, India and China. This was highlighted by a joint venture with the government of Inner Mongolia (an autonomous region of China) to create a power generating facility in order to bring electric power service to a remote area of this region. He was highly respected by the Chinese officials he dealt with and was given a Mongolian name that reflected his integrity and quiet, dignified nature.

Eric was very involved in the church and community throughout his adult life. In Massachusetts, he and Priscilla sang in the choir at the Holden Baptist Church. After moving to Connecticut, they joined the Marlborough Congregational Church – singing together in the choir as well as serving in various leadership positions and social functions of the church. In 1978 they joined Trinity Covenant Church in Manchester, Connecticut, where they continued to serve in various leadership positions, visitation ministries and had a weekly Bible study in their home for many years. Eric and Priscilla often mentored young couples from the church. Eric was also involved in a long running men’s Bible study breakfast gathering. During the 1970’s Eric served on the Marlborough zoning board and also served as president of the town library board. He volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 39 while his boys were active in scouting and served one year as scout master of the troop. He pursued a post graduate degree at night school and received a Masters Degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut in 1978.

Eric enjoyed working on household and outdoor projects on the weekends. He did much of his own automotive maintenance and repair for many years, passing on his skills and knowledge by involving his sons in these projects. Although not a musician, he had a passion for classical music and hymns - the latter preferably accompanied by a well played organ. Many a Saturday evening was spent tuned in to the live radio broadcast from Boston’s Symphony Hall. Attending live performances with his family or, on date nights with Priscilla, were always a welcome treat. Eric was an avid reader and studier of the Bible as well as U.S History and enjoyed discussions on those topics. He loved the mountains and enjoyed planning the annual summer family camping trips to New Hampshire, as well as trips to Nova Scotia, Vermont, the Adirondacks and a month long motor home adventure tour of the U.S. in 1978. Grandchildren began to arrive on the scene in 1995 and he enjoyed encouraging them in faith, reading to them and, sharing his wisdom, skills and love of history. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Priscilla to England, Prince Edward Island and Maine as well as to Kansas and New Hampshire to visit their sons and families. They also made frequent visits to Priscilla’s family homestead on Cape Cod.

Eric and Priscilla lived for 55 years in Marlborough. In 2022 they moved to Hays, Kansas in order to be close to their family. In Hays they were involved with the North Oak Community Church and enjoyed making friends in the church and community. Eric’s beloved wife, Priscilla, passed away on August 23, 2025 following a several year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. After nearly 65 years of marriage, he found it difficult to continue on without her and has now joined her in Glory. 

Eric is survived by his two sons – James Rorstrom and wife Jane of Hays and, John Rorstrom and wife Theresa of Austin, TX, four grandchildren – Katarina Clinton and husband Mark of Southern Pines, NC, Hans Rorstrom and wife Hannah of Claremore, OK, Eric Rorstrom of Kansas City, MO, and Carl Rorstrom of Lawrence, KS. There are three great grandchildren – Hope, Svea and Cathan. Eric was proceeded in death by his wife Priscilla, his parents, his siblings, two nieces and three nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at North Oak Community Church, located at 3000 Oak Street in Hays, KS. Memorial visitation will start at 9:00 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Oak Community Church Missions Fund, 3000 Oak Street Hays, KS 67601

 Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Please share memories on Eric's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com