Thinking of you Ernie!

Thinking of you on your birthday--xox

I remember back in the early 70's when I was an Assistant Bridge Engr. and Ernie was my supervisor. He pushed me to get my CE License even though promotions to Associate, requiring the CE License, were infrequent. I'm glad he did and that I took his challenge to heart. I got my license in '75. I promoted to Associate in '79 and Sr. Bridge Engr late '89, and retired in 2003. I rarely saw him after moving to Dist. 1 in '78, but I remember him as always being cheerful and friendly, that attribute was the frosting on his cake as a supervisor. My wife remembers him even though he was only my supervisor for a few years. There will always be a page in my memory book for Ernie.

Ernie: I enjoyed your company, your spirit for new adventures, your positive addition to the MaryLou Cox family, your laughter and most importantly, how you elevated me to the Queen! I miss our lunches, happy hours, book writing, questioning your intentions with my mother-in-law and having you be an integral part of our lives! I love and miss you Ernie! Autumn

Dearest Ernie, it was such a pleasure knowing you the last 10 or so years. Thank you so much for taking such great care of my aunt MaryLou, Nana and Papa. I know the ladies kept you on your toes with their mudslides and old fashions. You were one of the kindest, most gentle souls, and greatest gentleman I have ever had the privilege to know. Your cheery disposition and outgoing personality will forever be missed and our memories cherished. Love Forever, Your Femme Fatale

I'm a little late to the party. I've had a hard time accepting this. And I say party for obvious reasons. I have a wonderful history with Ernie. I moved from Missouri to California a naive engineer and by Gods grace met Ernie. He mentored me and guided me and became my CA father figure. And my own father applauded him with keeping me in line. He has and will always be a great inspiration to me. He loved his family to the point where I felt I knew them, and aside from Sue, I had never even met them. I walked away from engineering to be a mom and Ernie always supported me even when I doubted myself.
And here's the honest truth. I've always said the most important men in my 51 years were my dad, Harold Crane. My college advisor Dr. Bill Andrews. My mentor, advisor, and most importantly friend Ernie Blee. My husband Chris. And my son Cameron.
We will be spending Easter in Coeur d Alene with our son who is a freshman at gonzaga. I'll say a special prayer for Ernie and keep him forever in my heart. I have no choice. He's a keeper!!

My Dearest Ernie!
I am thinking of the many things you brought into my life, the travel, moments shared, the fun, the togetherness. We enjoyed almost 13 years! I think, also, of the many things we didn't say, however, I know how much you loved me and I did you.

You will always be in my heart; I miss you very much and know that you were one of God's miracles in my life! I miss you! MaryLou

My dearest Ernie:
I will never forget the first time I started working for you. It was 6 months after Sue had passed away. You just wanted someone in the house puttering around while you were working on your computer. I, never in a million years thought we would become the best of friends. I miss your jokes, conversations and your beautiful smiles. Yours forever, Sheri and Pup

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered, "Come with me." With graceful eyes we watched you, we watched you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.   Lorraine (Marylou Cox's sister) & Jim Avery

Ernie. Oh my, MaryLou, you, Al and I had so many laughs and such good times. We were always making new memories, some sad, but, for the most, happy times.
Knowing you was an inspiration and though you are no longer here, you will never be forgotten. Your kindness, caring and help with Al will always have a special place in my heart and that of my family.
Love you,
Darlene and family

I will remember Ernie for his optimism and strength. He loved to laugh and have a good time and put the best face on all the down side of life. He had what I call courage, a buoyant spirit, and I was enriched through our friendship.

My husband Bill and Ernie were roommates at U.C. Berkeley and good friends while Bill was courting me. He had THE car and often drove Bill down to see me at San Jose State. He and Sue remained our good friends although many moves separated us for quite a few years. When we moved back to the Bay Area, they were very generous to us, and we had many wonderful excursions and the full Delta experience. After Bill died, Ernie had some adventures in writing and often came down to my area for advice about his work which showed remarkable effort and promise for an engineer who had the courage to try something new because he had a story to tell.  I will miss him.

I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know and care for Ernie while he lived at Coeur d'Alene Homes. He had the biggest smile but at the same time he was mischievous. He had a great sense of humor. He has a beautiful family. Mike and Pam our prayers are with you and God Bless You All. I will miss Ernie.

Some of the earliest memories I can think back to in my life take place in that living room of yours on in Danville: Christmases spent with the cousins, shooting toy bows and arrows, imaging they are the real thing, like the ones you had on the wall. Or summer days spent on the delta, picking buckets of blackberries and Grandma driving the boat a little too close to the rocks. That was a wild one huh?

I feel nothing short of great regret that I didn't get to make as many memories with you as life continued on. Even so, there are amazing things you instilled in the man I am today, and I'm not simply referring to my love for good scotch. You led by example what it was to be strong, proud, and compassionate. And you could tell a hell of a story. I'm sure you're telling everybody up there some good ones right now.

Cheers, Grandpa. Goodbye for now.

Our paths crossed while working for Jacobs Engineering nearly 15 years ago. Ernie hired me to work in his department. There was just something really special about him and it didn’t take me long to see why he had such a large fan club. People were just drawn to Ernie, and so was I.

Thank you, Ernie, for your friendship. Thank you for your endless kindness, caring, understanding and words of wisdom. I remember everything… and always will.

I miss you.

With Love,
Dori

Dad,
You taught me:
To love unconditionally,
To find joy in Life’s simple moments,
And that Life has endless possibilities if you set your mind to it.
You are my hero.
I love you.
I miss you.
Debra

Grandpa,
You are the best grandpa in the whole wide world. You made this all possible. You've touched and created the lives of so many people, including my family and all my cousins I love so dearly and uncles and aunts. I'll never forget how you inspired me, you are my hero. I wouldn't have done engineering had it not been for you and Jeff and for that I'm so thankful. You're the hardest worker I know, the sweetest man I know. You showed me true love is possible with grandma Susan and that life is about moments and enjoying them with those you love. Goodbye for now grandpa I love you so much, you've lived a long life of purpose and now you will travel on in peace with Susan and Casey. I will see you soon. Bye grandpa you'll always be in my heart and my family's heart.