Eric was born to parents Paul and Eva (Erickson) Bartleson. At the time of his birth, Eric’s father was a soldier fighting WWII in France. His father did not see him until he was about 15 months old. His family included siblings Mark, Ruth, and Joel.
He graduated from FCHS in 1962 and continued his education at Waldorf College. While at Waldorf, Eric was a two-year starter on the football team that completed the first undefeated season in 1962-1963.
Following graduation from Waldorf, he attended Mankato State College where he graduated with a major in English and a minor in Mathematics. He continued his education receiving a Master’s Degree and Specialist Degree from Mankato State University and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. On September 10, 1966 he and his high school sweetheart Cathy Bleich were married. This marriage produced three children: Paul, Jennifer and Ann Marie. At the present time they are proud grandparents of nine and great-grandparents of four.
His classroom teaching career spanned seven years teaching English and Mathematics in Minneapolis and English at Mason City High School. He spent seven years as a high school principal in Marshall and Milaca Minnesota and then twenty years as a superintendent in Lake Crystal, Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial, Mankato, and Winona.
Following his time as superintendent in Mankato, Eric served three years as a Professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
He also served on the Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators for five years. Today he still serves on the Minnesota Association of School Administrators’ Foundation Board and Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
Eric retired in 2004. In retirement he has served as an Interim Superintendent in two school districts, adjunct professor at Winona State University, and currently is a part-time faculty member for Capella University, an online university based in Minneapolis, MN.
