May 19, 1937 - January 23, 2022
Ernie died in his sleep on January 23, 2022 after a struggle with Alzheimer's dementia.
Born the second of 5 children to Elizabeth and Alfred, Ernie grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from humble beginnings with an active mind and strong resolve.
He attended Buena Vista elementary school and Nutana Collegiate, excelled at school and was awarded an IODE scholarship that allowed him to attend the University of Saskatchewan, first in engineering then to graduate in the first class of the School of Physical Education in 1961.
He was a gifted athlete playing on Huskie volleyball, basketball and soccer teams and competing in gymnastics. It was at the U of S that he met Karen and the two were married in June 1960.
He was hired at the fledgling U of S Regina Campus in 1961 and he completed a Master's degree from Eugene, Oregon in 1963. He went on to complete a PhD from the U of A in 1982.
For 40 years Ernie was a fixture at the University of Regina, a popular professor to generations of Education and Kinesiology students, coaching several university teams, directing athletics, establishing the intramural program and working for a time as Assistant Dean.
Ernie dedicated endless hours to volunteer with U of R programs, Sask Sport and many other community organizations.
Ernie loved his family and was proud of his kids and their accomplishments. He was a principled "people person" who cared about people and loved to have fun. He added life to every gathering. A confident and charismatic man with a flair for adventure and the eccentric, he was never afraid to try something new or challenge himself.
Whether it was learning to sail, singing in the Philharmonic Choir, learning Mandarin or mastering the mandolin, he threw himself into his ventures.
He took up playing hockey in his 50s. He once travelled for 5 weeks to Australia by freighter ship. Another year he took the Trans-Siberia Railway across Asia.
Sabbatical trips, first to live with his young family in Scandinavia then later to live in Norway and Australia, multiple trips to western Europe as well as an extended trip to China were highlights in a very rich and meaningful life. He and Karen decided to move to White Rock, British Columbia in 2012 to enjoy a milder climate and spend time closer to daughter Janet. They successfully carved out a happy life on the west coast complemented with new friends and activities.
Survived by Karen, his loving partner of 62 years, Ernie leaves behind his proudest legacy: his children - Michael (Angela), Janet (Brad) and Stephen (Julie) as well as 5 grandchildren (Gabrielle, Noah, Arden, Dawson and Liesel). He is also survived by siblings Mona Woodcock, Malcolm (Maureen), Evelyn Anderson, Nancy (Dave) Isbister, as well as 7 nephews and nieces. A celebration of Ernie's life may be organized for a later date.
Family is grateful for the care Ernie received from his wonderful caregiver Janine and later from Peace Portal Senior Village. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernie's name to the Alzheimer's Society of BC or The Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.