Eric Cameron Toler

Eric Cameron Toler of Seattle, Washington, died of cancer on October 26, 2022, at age 34.

Eric was born on September 5, 1988, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Dr. Robert Lee and Sylvia (Goodnight) Toler. Starting at a young age, Eric spent many years in Scouting where he was named an Eagle Scout, developing leadership skills and forming life-long friendships. Eric was also an avid figure skater throughout his high school years and became a US Figure Skating Gold Test Medalist. 

Eric had a genuine love of learning and was valedictorian of his high school class at Trinity Academy of Raleigh in 2006. Eric’s high school Spanish teacher instilled in Eric a love of the Spanish language and culture that led to him majoring in Latin American Studies at UNC. During his college years, he studied abroad in Xalapa, Mexico, taught English in Ecuador, was an intern at the US Embassy in Mexico City, and traveled extensively throughout Mexico and South America.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010 and then earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in 2011. He began his career in the U.S. Trade and Development Agency in Washington, D.C., and in 2013 he moved to Boston and joined the aviation consulting group ICF International.

Eric met Lauren Teegarden in a Spanish class at UNC, and they married in 2015 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2018, Eric and Lauren moved to Seattle, Washington, where Eric joined the air service development team at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Eric was passionate about the aviation industry and loved putting his background in international development to use.

In 2019, Eric was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer and spent the next three years undergoing extensive treatment. His son, Caleb, was born in March 2020. 

In all facets of his life, Eric was dedicated, diligent, and even-keeled, grounding himself in the steadfast love of the Lord and his unending mercies (Lamentations 3:22) throughout his illness. 

Eric is survived by his wife, Lauren, and son, Caleb, as well as his parents, Lee and Sylvia, and sister Allison Toler Downs (Brian). 

The family would like to thank the medical team at the University of Washington / Fred Hutch Cancer Center for their compassionate and tireless care. A memorial service will be held at Bayleaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday, November 12, 2022, with visitation at 2:30pm and service at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Eric’s name to Downtown Cornerstone Church in Seattle, Washington, or the Fred Hutch Cancer Center.