Eric Mann

Eric Mann,73, of Davis, Ca. died at UC Davis Sacramento Hospital of complications from colitis.

Eric was born in Brownsville, Texas, on November 14, 1952. Being born to a career Coast Guard officer Eric moved over 10 times around the country. As valedictorian of Los Fresnos (Texas) High School class of 1971, he gave his speech both in English and Spanish.

Eric attended Southwest Texas State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1976.

After working as a flight attendant for TWA for several years, Eric got his Master’s in Microbiology in 1982 from Southwest Texas State University. He got his PhD in Biological Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin in 1988.

He taught at the University of Michigan and spent the last 20 years of his life teaching at the University of California, Davis, in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.

Eric was passionate about teaching and was gifted in making complex information accessible to his students. He was not an easy teacher but his students appreciated his attention to making sure every one of them understood the topics he covered.

Having never forgotten his roots in Botany , Eric excelled at photographing plants and especially flowers.

Eric was a devout and active member of his church, Davis Lutheran Church. He loved his many roles as a volunteer there.

Eric Mann was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Mann and Winnifred Knox Mann.

Eric is survived by his brother, Fred Mann (Virginia) of McAllen Texas, sister, Vickie Mann Bolling (Rick) of Auburn, Alabama. He is also survived by 5 nieces and nephews, Mary Katharine Ramos Negrete (Bolling), Annabelle Bolling, Lara Claire Bolling, Atticus Bolling and Nat Bolling and great nephews, Jackson, Xicoh, James, Kieran and Javie.

The family wishes to thank Mr. Baldeep Singh and his family, Rev. Christian Holleck and Dr. Roger Russell for their loving support.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Eric’s life at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Davis Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to one of Eric’s favorite nonprofits, Doctors Without Borders, (Medecins Sans Frontieres )at msf.org