1967 Erik Gunnar Erickson with his older brother Erik Gustav at the Sydney Hilton Hotel

In 1966, Erik Gunnar flew to New York, met his brother Erik Gustav and accompanied him on his final trip as captain of the Cumulus. Then he spent further time with his family in Sweden. In 1967, he caught up with Erik Gustav in Sydney as his older brother enjoyed a retirement trip around the world. This was the last time he would see any of his family. On 30 October 1968, when working in Broken Hill on a drilling project, he died of a massive heart attack - aged 58 years.