Hi,

My name is Alan Bernath and Ernest was my first supervisor when I joined Chevron in 1985.  Just learned today 9/1 that he passed away.

Can you send me any information on where to make a donation in Ernest's memory to any charity that you have designated.

Thank you very much.

Alan Bernath
alanbernath@sbcglobal.net
949-299-7990

I was saddened to hear of Ernest’s passing. I was honored to be a member of Ernest’s small study group (the “20K MBAs” ) @ UCLA’s Executive MBA Program some years ago. 

Through Ernest’s insightful leadership (and most would argue “only because”), our group achieved a number of successes in friendly competition with our esteemed cohorts.

We will miss Ernest’s friendship, brilliance, wisdom, strength, humility, and humor.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family.

Sean & Sherron Boyea

I too have taken way to long to write this.  But my reason for the tardiness is that I could not find the words to adequately describe the Ernest I knew.  Still looking for those words.

In January, I lost a best and most respected friend.   I had the good fortune of meeting him when he had just established a second residence on the Monterey Peninsula.   Immediately we connected.   First it was the bike but then it was so much more.  

It was astonishing, really, how much we had in common.  From science to politics to environment to energy efficiency to music to food, we were walking like paths throughout life that, about twelve years ago, had the good fortune to converge.   

We  could and would disagree and debate, but with Ernest, I could always trust that he would be grounded in fact, he would methodically seek out truths, and would always be guided by a moral compass.   

He was rare among most engineers I have known.   He could transcend that required strict and often narrowly focused discipline with greater balance,  mindfulness and sense of   principle.  

I would more often than not loose those debates with him but I would gain so much more in entertainment and enlightenment. Sometimes I felt like I had met my twin, all be it, my much smarter twin.  

For me, Ernest, was a comet.   He entered my life quickly and too quickly, exited.   I was a momentary recipient of this comet's brilliance.   

Though we enjoyed many miles on the bike, love of jazz, appreciation of gourmet restaurants and foods, travel and etc., my top memory has to be when we collaborated on  an energy technology project together.  His participation elevated that project to a next level.   

Every day I miss him.......
too quick my friend,
Bruce 



I'm embarrassed to share that I just learned of Ernest's passing last week; my sincerest condolences to his family. 

I had the pleasure of working with Ernest during our time together on the Board of Directors at the PG Museum of Natural History. It was my very first board, but Ernest made me feel so welcomed that I immediately felt comfortable. His mind was still sharp and he was thoughtful in his contributions; I enjoyed learning from him very much. He was a tremendous asset to the Museum and I was sad to see him step down. I'll never forget the one time he let hit to gong that hung from  his front door following one of our meetings which I hit really hard. We had such a good laugh from it. I will miss Ernest dearly. Rest in peace friend!

Ernest and I were friends through cycling. We met each other riding with Marin Cyclists, a local club. After Ernest’s accident he moved down to Monterey and I visited him whenever I was down that way. At one point I had the good fortune of meeting his brother Rick, who helped Ernest out as much as he possibly could. Ernest was a great conversationalist and so brilliant! We discussed politics, his work with Point Lobos and anything else that came to mind. To say Ernest was a special person is an understatement. I will miss him but am forever grateful for the rich memories I have of our times together.

I'm so sorry to hear that Ernest passed away.  I met him working at the Monterey State Park District and had the pleasure to hike with him and show him some projects we were working on at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP.  After his accident and my retirement we would try to get together at least once a year for lunch and beers with John O'Neil from CCLK.  As a cyclist, I think about him often on my rides.

I am sorry to hear of your family’s loss.
I first met Ernest in 2013 when he was appointed to serve on the CA Park & Recreation Commission. I was impressed by his attentiveness in the meetings and the depth of his comments in those meetings. I appreciated his accessibility to meet with me as a member of the public. He had such a passion for State Parks and nature.
 I came to know the great intelligence and compassion that resided in him.  He showed lots of energy and determination to remain active and connected to the greater world despite the difficulties he faced after the bicycle accident.
Ernest was so welcoming to my husband John and I when we visited him at his home in Pebble Beach. He took a great interest in everything we discussed with him about our activities and lives. 
I regret the disruption to our lives with the Covid- related restrictions and feel sad that we can’t have that year back that resulted in more physical distance between people.  And now this is such a loss to us to be missing our communications with the great spirit that resided in Ernest.
I admired Ernest for his strength of character as he faced all the challenges of his physical condition.   I hope that your memories and faith are a comfort to you. 


Ernest was someone whom i will always consider an amazing friend
An amazing spirit
And just plain good person
To me
there is no such thing as goodbye
we merely transition on
forever young
forever strong
where everything lives as one
and where we are one with everything
surrounded with completeness

I learned about Ernest's passing last Sunday from our mutual friend, Ernie, while visiting our beloved China Camp.  It was the perfect place to recall what a brilliant, kind and loving man who so gently touched so many of us.  Over the years he taught Roxanne and me much, not about complex scientific theories, but about nature, humility, and the importance of directing our energy in a meaningful way.  May his memory be a blessing to his family, his friends, and to so many others who he helped over the course of his far too short life. 

When I think of Ernest,  my breath evens out. He was truly a calm, kind, gentle, patient and incredibly thoughtful human being. Always humble, yet brilliant and wise. I'm forever grateful to have known him. He was a shining light,  and this world is a dimmer place for his passing.  
May he be in peace now.

 I will miss Ernest very much. We met in Yosemite at a Parks conference a number of years ago. We became good friends, often visiting each others homes, sometimes with brother Rick, or meeting for lunch in Pebble Beach or Big Sur. He was brilliant, thoughtful, kind, and generous of his time and his knowledge. My husband Harry and  I will truly miss sharing times together with Ernest. We wish very warm condolences to the family and we will often honor Ernest's gentle spirit.

Ernest took this beautiful photo of the Columbia River a few years ago!

Ernest and a whole bunch of us went to Diocesan Boys School (D.B.S.) in HKG in the '60s. Since the D.B.S. days, we've been scattered literally all over the world. Some of us have been in closer contact with him than others after High School, all of us are saddened and somewhat shocked to hear this news. Ernest had just started getting active in an online group where we congregate, and we were delighted when he sent a post on January 3rd. Sadly, it was cut short abruptly, just like his precious life was. We are sad but relieved to know that he is in a better place, where pain and suffering can no longer touch him. Our condolences to the family during this difficult time: may God bless you and give you a measure of peace and comfort.

(The attached photo shows Ernie at our 40th anniversary gathering: between two school mates, and two teachers in the front)

Good bye to the most loyal and devoted friend and sweetheart a person could have.  I have counted on his friendship for about forty years and will miss him terribly.  With all my love, 

Colleen 

OBITUARY

Ernest Ying-Chee Chung

29 May, 1952 – 13 January, 2021

The Paul Mortuary

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