Dr. Ernest George Bednar

Ernie was the 3rd oldest of 10 children, and grew up on the family farm in Lidgerwood. As a senior in high school, he submitted a drawing to the United States Postal Service for a contest honoring the 25th anniversary of Air Mail. His entry not only won 1st place honors for him in the state of North Dakota, but 3rd place nationwide. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Billings Polytech Institute (now called Rocky Mountain College) in Billings, Montana, where he graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technology.

In 1942, Ernie enlisted in the Air Force. He served in the 8th Air Force for the 55th Fighter Group for 2 years in England (and a 6 month stint in France) as an Aircraft Electrician. He had wanted to fly planes, and had aspired to become an officer, but was denied a chance to do so due to a perforated eardrum. He worked mostly on P38’s and later did some work on P51’s and to this day, he always loved to look at photos of the old airplanes like the ones he used to work on.

After returning stateside, he enrolled at Iowa State and obtained his Master’s Degree. The following year he moved to University of Missouri to finish up his Doctorate, where he also ended up teaching a Beginning Drafting class during that time to help cover his room & board. After obtaining his PhD, he taught Industrial Arts Courses for 8 years at Billings Junior High, where his favorite class to teach was Industrial Design.

While living in Billings, Ernie was introduced by friends to Rhoene Kelley, and they were married on Valentines Day—February 14th, 1948. Ernie built a duplex in Billings, where they lived for several years. Ernie & Rhoene celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary 6 months prior to Rhoene’s passing away on October 4th, 2008.

Ernie filled in for a friend, teaching at Humboldt State College in Arcata, (now known as Humboldt State University), while the friend finished up his education for a year. There was only one teaching position in the Industrial Arts Department at the time. Once the year was up, he got a job teaching Industrial Arts at North Texas State in Denton, TX. He loved his job there, but the weather was really dry. He used to say they “Had bugs the size of half dollars that would hit the walls of the house and sounded like bullets!”

The President of Humboldt State College, Cornelius H. Siemens, flew out to Texas to ask Ernie to return to Humboldt State and teach, since they had opened up another teaching position in the Industrial Arts Department. Ernie, Rhoene, and their son, Larry moved back to California to take the position, where he was a professor for 28 years until his retirement in 1982. He was very active in organizing and working at the Salmon Bakes at the college for years, which was a very popular event at that time. Over the years, Ernie kept in contact with several of his students, and to this day, people still approach us, telling us that he was their favorite teacher.

Ernie took great pride in the home that he built for his family near the college. They lived in the basement of the house for several years until he was able to complete the upper level as well. During this time their family grew with the birth of their son, Don, and daughter, Kelly.

Ernie’s health was a bit of a roller-coaster ride over the years. He had septuple bypass surgery on his heart, and beat cancer 5 or 6 times, to name a few issues that he dealt with. He was a medical miracle, and never ceased to amaze everyone who knew him…including his doctor!

After retirement, Ernie kept busy, golfing, painting, rock hunting and traveling with Rhoene in their motor home to visit friends and relatives in Montana, Colorado, and North and South Dakota each summer. He was an inventor, even obtaining several patents. He was a very crafty man, and was good at basically everything he did. There wasn’t a kinder, sweeter, more positive person that walked this earth than Ernie Bednar. He never complained about anything, and was always so caring and loving to everyone he met. He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a gentleman to the end. Heaven received a very precious gem when dad went through the Pearly Gates! Ernie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the North Coast Vintage Aviation Club, and the Gem and Mineral Society.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose Bednar, in-laws Iva & Ed Kelley, brothers Frank Bednar and Stanley Bednar and sisters Rose Child and Lillian Kreminski, as well as brother & sister in-laws Ralph Child, Ned Dummer, Jerome Wisnewski, Larry Kelley and Don Nelson.

He is survived by his sons Larry (Brenda) Bednar and Don Bednar, daughter Kelly (Chris) Hake; grandchildren Brian (Mandy) Bednar, Jeremy, Andrew and Katelynn Bednar, Aaron and Daniel Bednar, Jacie (Krystal), Steven and Laura Hake; Crystal Taylor, David Seda, Russell Ellrich and great grandson Augustus Gibbons. He is also survived by brothers and sisters Mildred Dummer, Blanche (Jack) Kaspari, Dolores Bednar, Agnes (Tom) Marks, Mary Wisnewski, Marci (Bernard) Ruby, Carol (Lloyd) Burdick, Nelda (Hardy) Owens, Mildred Nelson, Jackie Kelley and Lloyd (Lois) Kelley, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very dear friend, Joyce Strahan.

The family would like to express our deepest thanks to Dr. Bruce Kessler and his staff, Susan from Visiting Angels, the staff at Hospice and Timber Ridge, as well as St. Joseph and Mad River Hospitals, and Fr. Gerry Gormley at St. Mary’s Church, as well as anyone else that we may have forgotten to mention. Your love, prayers and support have been a blessing to us all.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 30th at Paul’s Chapel, in Arcata from 1:00-4:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in Ernie’s honor on Monday, May 2nd at 1:00pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Rd., Arcata. A burial service will immediately follow the mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1757 J St., Arcata. There will be a reception at St. Mary’s Church Parish Center following the burial. Memorial contributions may be made in Ernie’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hospice of Humboldt, or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the care of Paul’s Chapel, (707) 822-2445.

Run Friday, April 29th and Sunday, May 1st in the Times-Standard.