Robert & Eric F.

By their mom, Pat

Robert and Eric Franklin

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Hello Dear Loved One,

I am writing to tell you about my two beautiful, talented, and very much loved sons, both who died in 2012 from heroin overdoses. They both are so very missed. Life is just not as full as it should be. Their loss has forever changed our lives. I will tell you a little about both of them.

Our youngest child, Robert, was born November 10, 1987, and died April 22, 2012. At six foot five, he was a gentle giant. Everyone loved Robert; he was funny and a born leader. In high school, Robert had gotten himself into trouble and was arrested for being in possession of two pounds of marijuana at the age of 17. As his parents, we were shocked that he had been messing with that quantity of marijuana. As a result, before Robert turned 18 years old he was labeled a felon. Drugs became Robert’s escape; he shouldn’t have needed to escape, he had a great childhood and was well liked by everyone. From there, things went quickly downhill. Robert spent much of his young adult life in prison or jail. Robert didn’t seem to know how to stop using, and I didn’t fully understand what he was going through. Then he found the drug Oxycontin. Robert died at the age of 24. As Neil Young once said, “Twenty four and there’s so much more”.

Our middle son, Eric, was born on February 22, 1986, and died December 21, 2012. He was a happy, smart, handsome, loved, talented and caring person. Eric had so much to live for, so much left to give to the world. He played the guitar and harmonica; writing much of his own music. Eric also had a great voice. Eric worked for his dad as a rough carpenter. He had just met a girl and were early in their relationship, but somehow he still couldn’t get past his addiction. I know he wanted to change. Eric even went to a treatment center and did really well for a while. He was only 26 when he died.

Both Robert and Eric loved to play the guitar and were immensely passionate about all music. Together they started a band called, The Wronged and wrote and recorded several songs.

You can listen to some of their music here: https://www.reverbnation.com/thewrongedericandrobertfranklin/song/23315384-masterpiece

Robert and Eric left behind not only me and my husband, Mike, but also their older brother, Adam and sister-in-law, Robin, and their only niece, Taylor. Taylor is now six years old and has only pictures of her two loving uncles, not memories.

If you are struggling with life or drugs, please know how much you are loved. God is our father and we are all sisters and brothers. I wish you peace and love. I have always felt that in order to give love we need to be able to love ourselves. I hope that you all love yourself and that you take good care of you. I also believe the same thing is true for forgiveness; in order to forgive we need to be able to forgive ourselves.

God Bless You on Your Journey!