Boring resident Robert “Bob” Ernst, peacefully graduated to glory at his home, surrounded by his family on April 3, 2010. He was 90.
A Graveside service with military honors will be held at Rose City Cemetery Tuesday April 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. A Memorial service will be held at Living Word Fellowship Church in Boring on Saturday April 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
Robert B. Ernst was born April 7, 1919 to Fredrick and Mary (James) Ernst in Davenport, Iowa where he was raised and received his schooling. He graduated from Davenport High School and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Bob served honorably during WWII in England and France.
He married Lorene Alt on April 5, 1943 in Florence, South Carolina. They moved out west and lived in Portland and Klamath Falls until 1964 when they moved to Brightwood. During those years Bob was a salesman for Farmer Brother’s Coffee Company. He achieved “Salesman of the Year” awards two years running. After 30 years in the business he retired and opened Bob’s Whistle Stop, a model train store in Portland. While running the shop he was also attending Bible College and as he was finishing his education he sold the business. He was ordained by City Bible College and he and Lorene moved to Brightwood where they began his pastorate at House of the Lord Church. After serving there for 20 years Bob retired. In 2004 he and Lorene moved to Boring near the golf course. Bob never had his heart set on complete retirement, so he helped out with his son Greg’s business in Sandy as a phone salesman. He was known to visit with clients all over the nation and carried on until shortly before his passing.
Bob’s hobbies included praying for others and golfing.
Surviving are his sons, William of Hood River , Greg of Eagle Creek, and Richard Ernst of Chehalis; daughter, Sheila Stephens of Sherwood; his sister, Margaret Bledsoe of Iowa; 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lorene in 2009.