Erin Crider

Erin Whitney Crider, PE; LT, USN
July 19, 1984 - January 18, 2026

The world lost a bright light on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with the unexpected passing of Erin Whitney Crider while she was deployed at Camp Lemonnier, a U.S. Naval base in Djibouti, Africa. Erin was a fierce, brilliant, vibrant, and deeply generous woman whose impact reached across continents, professions, and communities.

Erin was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, the only child of Joyce (Gibson) Crider and William Crider. Erin was her own person and an incredible soul. She had a innate ability to bring people together even at young age. Erin is a 2002 graduate of Wyomissing High School, graduating from Penn State (Schreyer Honors College) University and later from the University of Colorado Boulder with Master of Science degrees in Engineering Management and Mechanical Engineering. From there, she built an extraordinary career as a mechanical engineer. Her work took her around the world and across multiple branches of the U.S. government. Erin was a construction engineer for Naval Base San Diego, NAVFAC Washington, the Department of State, and the White House. She most recently served as the director of facilities at the National Defense University. Among her many achievements, while serving under the Trump and Biden administrations, Erin was the only woman-and the youngest person under 60-who knew how to manage the White House HVAC system. She also served as the design and construction manager for President Biden's and Vice President Harris' second residences.

Erin continued forging her own remarkable path. In June 2022, Erin graduated from the U.S. Navy Officer Development School as a Reserve Civil Engineering Corps Officer. Erin served as Officer-in-Charge for the Naval Construction Forces' Innovative Readiness Training program, providing live, real-world training for military personnel while addressing critical infrastructure needs in underserved communities domestically and abroad. In 2024, she spoke about one of her projects in the Navajo Nation, telling a local paper, "Working with the local community and providing homes for low-income veterans in the Navajo Nation has been really rewarding. The humanitarian aspects of what the Seabees do are very important to me."

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Erin was an exceptional athlete. She competed in soccer, cross country, and bowling through high school and eventually found ultimate frisbee the summer before her senior year while spending two weeks at West Point. Ultimate was a driving force in Erin's life, and she was always looking forward to another tournament. She founded, captained, and starred on numerous teams across the United States and participated in multiple international tournaments including 2 World Cups. Wherever she went she was known for her team leadership, head-high layouts, and spirit.

But even more than her achievements, Erin will be remembered for her engaging personality, infectious laugh, sharp wit, love of life, trademark catchphrases and hand gestures, and loyal friendship. She formed deep, lasting relationships across every chapter of her life. Her t-shirt, koozie, and record collections were legendary. Erin was magnetic, endlessly capable, and always up for an adventure - whether exploring new places in her beloved Westfalia or fixing just about anything that needed fixing, including her beloved Westfalia. If a friend called, she was there. She loved her Australian shepherd (Rusty), poodles, and tolerated beagles.

Erin delighted in life's simple pleasures-crabbing, the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, dive bars, and Lionshead beer. She loved concerts and was rarely seen without her famous hat declaring, "I'd rather be listening to Steely Dan." Erin brought fun to every endeavor, whether hiking, playing card games, traveling, or refereeing local high school soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey games.

Erin met her wife and soulmate, Anna Boulos, while working at the U.S. Navy base in San Diego in 2017. They were married on July 20, 2024, in a joyful, three-day celebration in Maine that reflected everything they loved - people, laughter, and fun. Hundreds of friends and family traveled from across the United States and abroad to celebrate - a testament to how deeply Erin was loved.

Erin is survived by her loving wife, Anna Boulos of Virginia; her parents, Joyce and William Crider of North Carolina; her in-laws, Chris and Jayne Boulos of Maine; the Boulos siblings Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Chris; her beach-loving dog, Rusty; and friends and family around the world. She was predeceased by her beloved aunt and best friend, Mary Jo Gibson, and her cherished poodles, Mr. Jiggs, Norman, and Holly.

Erin's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and a funeral service 11:00 a.m. at Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading, Pennsylvania, with a private burial at Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery. A reception will follow at Berkshire Country Club in Reading, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to the Erin Crider Memorial Scholarship Fund, a newly established scholarship at the University of Colorado Boulder's Engineering Department, or to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides zero-interest loans and grants to service members in need.

Livestream: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/erin-crider-service