This go fund me is in memory of Eric and to give financial support to his wife Lisa as she starts a new season.

Eric Oftedal was born on February 3, 1964, in Los Gatos, California and passed away March 10,2026.

Eric was born early that day arriving, setting the tone for his life. Eric was always first—first to show up, first to step in, and always ready to get things done.

His mother tells the story of his father, Dennis, sitting in the waiting room so nervous that he was reading a magazine upside down. Maybe that’s because Eric came into this world a little upside down… but from that day on, he made a career out of making things look right—especially at the car wash.

He grew up in San Jose and moved at the age of 11 to Santa Clara, where his journey began.

Eric is survived by his wife, Lisa Oftedal, his son, Robert Waters, and his mother, Barbara Oftedal.

Eric was funny, caring, hardworking, and just the right amount of sarcastic. He was devoted to his family, and to Eric, family extended beyond blood—if you were close to him, you were family. He built friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Eric’s car wash family was an extension of his life—and if you knew him, you knew exactly what that meant. He loved telling stories about how he got his start in the industry, learning from one of the legends in car wash chemistry, Steve Jeffers, who taught him the importance of diligence—that showing up means something. And Eric showed up, every single day.

Car wash operators—and the customers they serve—benefited from his never-tiring drive for excellence. He didn’t just build a career—he built trust and lasting relationships across the country.

Eric moved through life leaving people he met better than he found them—leaving behind smiles, laughter, and memories that will stay with us.

He will be deeply missed. The world feels a little quieter, a little emptier without him—but his impact will remain with us always.