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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Robert Henry Ernst
Robert Henry
Ernst
d. Dec 20, 2015
Robert Henry Ernst's Obituary
Robert Henry Ernst was born August 15, 1921 in St. Charles, Missouri. He died December 20, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. He entered the Society of Mary as a Brother in August 1944. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Dayton in 1944 and a B.S. in Library Science from the University of Notre Dame in 1950. His teaching career in St. Louis spanned from January 1944 to 1957 at Marianist high schools including St. Mary's and Chaminade. His broad knowledge allowed him to teach everything from Religion and English classes to History, Economics and Art. During his career, he also moderated the yearbook, the newspaper and the student council and directed various bands and choirs.
In 1957 he was named principal at Chaminade HS, St. Louis, Missouri, followed by Don Bosco HS in Milwaukee in 1963, and Central Catholic HS in San Antonio in 1967. During this time he was the first president of the Principals of Catholic Secondary Schools in San Antonio. After leaving the Marianists in June 1972, he became principal of Jesuit-Loyola in Shreveport, Louisiana. In December 1972 he married Barbara Burkholder. He was the first non-Jesuit principal at Loyola in 70 years, and during his tenure the school thrived while other similar institutions were closing their doors. He received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the National Catholic Education Association and the Jesuit Secondary Education Association. In 1984 he was awarded Key to the City of Shreveport. He retired in 1985, and he and his wife resettled in San Antonio where he spent his time reading, painting, and teaching church history.
He was an avid reader, particularly of history, and he read copiously and regularly until shortly before his death. He was much beloved by his seven grandchildren, his many great-grandchildren, and all of the residents and staff of the Incarnate Word retirement center. He never tired in his strong faith in Christ and his Church, and remained devoted to his wife, even in the many years of his life following her death. He will be remembered for his beautiful wildlife paintings, his wonderful stories, his charming wit, and his sure answer to the question of how he was doing with, "If I were any better, I'd think I had died and gone to heaven!" May he rest there peacefully now.
He was preceded in death by: wife Barbara Burkholder Ernst, parents Lawrence and Josephine Ernst, brother Dr. J. Glennon Ernst, MD, and sister Sr. Rose Duchesne, SSND. Survivors include: Stepdaughter Marguerite McCormick, Stepson John Burkholder (Margaret), sister Theresa Wittry (Gen. John Wittry, USAF), sister-in-law Ricka Ernst, 7 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be Monday, December 28th at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway. Reception to follow in Heritage Hall at Incarnate Word.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Village at Incarnate Word, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209.
In 1957 he was named principal at Chaminade HS, St. Louis, Missouri, followed by Don Bosco HS in Milwaukee in 1963, and Central Catholic HS in San Antonio in 1967. During this time he was the first president of the Principals of Catholic Secondary Schools in San Antonio. After leaving the Marianists in June 1972, he became principal of Jesuit-Loyola in Shreveport, Louisiana. In December 1972 he married Barbara Burkholder. He was the first non-Jesuit principal at Loyola in 70 years, and during his tenure the school thrived while other similar institutions were closing their doors. He received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the National Catholic Education Association and the Jesuit Secondary Education Association. In 1984 he was awarded Key to the City of Shreveport. He retired in 1985, and he and his wife resettled in San Antonio where he spent his time reading, painting, and teaching church history.
He was an avid reader, particularly of history, and he read copiously and regularly until shortly before his death. He was much beloved by his seven grandchildren, his many great-grandchildren, and all of the residents and staff of the Incarnate Word retirement center. He never tired in his strong faith in Christ and his Church, and remained devoted to his wife, even in the many years of his life following her death. He will be remembered for his beautiful wildlife paintings, his wonderful stories, his charming wit, and his sure answer to the question of how he was doing with, "If I were any better, I'd think I had died and gone to heaven!" May he rest there peacefully now.
He was preceded in death by: wife Barbara Burkholder Ernst, parents Lawrence and Josephine Ernst, brother Dr. J. Glennon Ernst, MD, and sister Sr. Rose Duchesne, SSND. Survivors include: Stepdaughter Marguerite McCormick, Stepson John Burkholder (Margaret), sister Theresa Wittry (Gen. John Wittry, USAF), sister-in-law Ricka Ernst, 7 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be Monday, December 28th at 2:00 PM at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, 4503 Broadway. Reception to follow in Heritage Hall at Incarnate Word.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Village at Incarnate Word, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209.
Funeral Services for Robert Henry Ernst
Memorial Service
December
28
Monday
Chapel of the Incarnate Word
Starts at 2:00 pm
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