Eric Bradford was born near Kingsey, Quebec, Canada and grew up on a small mixed animal and crop farm in rural Drummond County. He attended local public schools, graduating at 16. The first in his family to pursue higher education, Eric enrolled at MacDonald College of McGill University earning his BSc in 1951. He then entered the Genetics and Animal Husbandry program of the University of Wisconsin where in 1952 he was awarded an MS degree and in 1956 a PhD.

Eric's time at the University of Wisconsin increased in significance with his courtship of Elizabeth Engelke. The two were married in 1954. After his graduation in 1956, Eric began his professional career by returning to McGill University. In 1957, he was recruited to California by Harold Cole, then chairman of the Department of Animal Husbandry at UC Davis, and began a distinguished career of dedicated service to students, faculty, and the livestock producers of California. He taught courses in animal breeding and genetics, beef cattle and sheep production, animal growth, and general animal science. His research spanned reproduction and growth in livestock and laboratory mice, sheep breeding, animal genetic resources conservation, and international agriculture. Eleven PhD and 14 Master's students from 12 different countries pursued their advanced degrees under his leadership.

Professor Bradford was also dedicated to University and public service and held administrative posts at UC Davis, including associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and twice chair of the Department of Animal Science. He was editor of the Breeding and Genetics section of the Journal of Animal Science as well as being a member of the editorial board of both Journal of Animal Science and Sheep and Goat Research Journal. He was principal investigator of the Small Ruminant Collaborative Research Support program with projects in Kenya, Indonesia, and Morocco. Eric retired in 1993 but remained active in academic endeavors, chairing an international global task force on animal agriculture and the global food supply as well as two committees responsible for the planning leading to establishment of the UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute in 2005. Eric was recognized for his contributions and service to the Department of Animal Science with the dedication of the Bradford Conference Room in Meyer Hall in May 2007.

Beyond his campus activities, Eric was associated with International House, serving twice on the board of directors. He was often found in the gardens, pruning roses. He gardened at home as well; his roses and African violets were a well-known and well appreciated addition to offices in Meyer Hall. Eric and Liss designed and built Glennan House, an idyllic retreat on the Redwood Coast, and shared a cabin at Echo Summit with family and friends.