Dr. Erich Wolfe Wouters passed away on January 26, 2022, at the age of 62. He is survived by his loving wife and constant companion Teresa Harris Wouters, daughter Blaire Ferguson (m. Logan), sons Lee Wouters (m. Candace) and Austin Wouters (m. Campbell), grandchildren Heidi Wouters and Lincoln Wolfe Wouters, brother Dr. Benjamin Wouters (m. Lisa), sisters Maya Smith and Sharyn Smith, and many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Erich was preceded in death by his mother Dr. Anne B. Wouters, father Dr. Freerk Wouters, adoptive father Dr. Fred Smith, aunts Jane B. McCartney and Wilma Wouters Leyen, beloved cousin Dr. Robert Wouters Leyen, and grandparents A.B. Bottoms, Frances Bottoms, Wouter H. Wouters, and Catherina Wouters. Erich was a member of Saragossa Nazarene Church, where he faithfully attended with his wife Teresa.
Dr. Erich Wouters was born on April 23, 1959 in Providence, Rhode Island, where his father was stationed as a member of the United States Navy. He graduated from Huntsville High School in 1977, where he exceled both academically and on the track and field team. Erich subsequently attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After obtaining a B.S. in chemistry from Emory in 1981, he attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Upon graduation as an MD in 1985, he completed his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University Hospital. Dr. Wouters was a lifelong member of the Piedmont Orthopedic Society. In 1991 he moved to Jasper, AL, and joined Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Associates where Dr. Wouters practiced until his retirement in 2008.
Erich was known for his quick wit and love of laughter and jokes. Dr. Wouters could often be found playing golf with his close friends at Musgrove Country Club, where he was a member for over 30 years. He traveled extensively with both family and friends, and made every effort to visit his children regularly. His lifetime commitment to sports and personal fitness was well known, especially his love for Auburn football and Duke basketball. In his retirement, Erich found immense joy in living on Smith Lake with his wife, taking yearly beach vacations with his family, and reading a good book each night. Dr. Wouters was known for his generosity, and he truly believed in caring for members of his church and community. A four-time cancer survivor himself, Erich showed extraordinary compassion to anyone he met who was battling cancer and made it his personal mission to support friends who faced it. In lieu of flowers, the Wouters family asks that donations be made in his honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, https://givenow.lls.org
The family will receive friends on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at Collins-Burke Funeral Home, funeral services will follow at 6:00 p.m. in the Collins-Burke Chapel. Burial will be at Walker Memory Gardens. Greg Tinker will officiate.
