Erik Lawrence Himmel

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Erik Laurence Himmel, 61, on March 6, 2026 in Palm City, Florida. Erik left us too soon, surrounded by the love of his family, after succumbing to a battle with an aggressive form of kidney cancer. A respected leader in the Florida construction industry and a dedicated sportfisherman, Erik leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a profound love for the sea.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut on January 2, 1965 to Harry and Joyce Gailzaid Himmel, he spent one year in Germany before his formative years in Valencia, Venezuela. There he met his forever love, Maria Carolina Trujillo, who waited patiently for Erik to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1989, after which they were married in Cambridge, MA. Erik’s 37-year career was marked by a tireless commitment to excellence and a natural gift for leadership that took him from Massachusetts to Florida, including a brief detour with his family to Costa Rica.

Erik also had a knack for languages that served him well, whether speaking with neighborhood kids in German or negotiating complex contracts in Spanish. For over 15 years, he was a top executive at Hedrick Brothers Construction in West Palm Beach, eventually rising to the position of President. Most recently, he founded HIMMCO, where he served as a dedicated owner’s representative, lending his decades of expertise to major projects across South Florida.

Beyond his professional accolades, Erik was defined by his adventurous spirit. He started at an early age, scuba diving and spear-fishing for snapper in Morrocoy, Venezuela. He soon became an elite sport-fish angler, traveling to Central America in pursuit of the world’s most challenging catches, from the pristine waters of Costa Rica, where he mastered the art of Pura Vida, to Guatemala, where he hooked sailfish on fly rods, to the rugged coasts of Panama, where he chased the trophy black marlin. Erik was in his element on the stern of a boat, battling the Big Ones and releasing them into the blue. He found his greatest peace on his boats, guided by the tides and the thrill of the chase.

Erik was a generous soul to his family and many devoted friends, to whom he was ever loyal.

Erik was predeceased by his mother, Joyce. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Carolina Trujillo Himmel; his two children, Laura and Matthew; his father, Harry; his sister, Tracy Himmel Isham (Jonathan) and their children, Faith, Catherine, and Lily, who affectionately knew him as Tío. Erik is also survived by members of Maria Carolina’s family, including her siblings and in-laws, Francisco (Judith) and their children Vanessa and Francisco, Jr.; Elizabeth and her children Adriana (Luis) and Diego; and Adriana (Angel) and their children Max and Isabel; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made In Erik’s Memory to honor the amazing angels at Treasure Coast Hospice (https://treasurehealth.org/292/Donate) OR a charity of your choice that supports ocean conservation or youth fishing programs, honoring Erik’s lifelong passion for the water.