One glorious spring day, when the wild oats were gently swaying in the Northern California breezes, a bundle arrived home in the arms of a father and a mother who adored him. The sixth such bundle, Ernest Baruch Bambauer, arrived on May 7th,1979, and completed the small army living at the east end of Moller Avenue. Ernie spent his childhood exploring the blackberried banks of the Sacramento River in the company of his five siblings. The days were rich and long. There were forts to build, rope swings to sail off, steelhead to catch, and Sunday suppers gathered around the family table. During his early childhood, Ernie and his family added several more cousins to the rank after the death of their parents. It was here in this setting where Ernie may have learned that there is enough care and love to carry a soul through life’s ups and downs, and there were some of both.
Ernie sailed through his elementary years at Capay School handily, and joined his fellow freshmen at Hamilton Union High School. His classmates loved Ernie. The quick wit and wicked pranks he played were rivaled only by his charm, and he wielded this equally against teachers and classmates alike. By 1996, Ernie had had enough, and graduated. In search of a better path, he took to bee keeping with Jeff and Joyce Lundeen in Richland, Washington. This is where he met his love, Benjamina Christe, and they married in the summer of 2001. In 2003, Ernie and Benjamina moved to warmer latitudes and found southern Florida an agreeable place. They developed a wide network of family and friends in the West Palm Beach area as Ernie focused on graphic and web design as a means to enjoy the things he loved most; long-distance running, volleyball, and people. Lots of people. In 2011, Ernie earned a Bachelor of Arts in the field of social work at Florida Atlantic University, and went on to get his masters in social work and post graduate degree in gerontology at Florida State University in 2013. In 2013, Ernie found love again with Stephanie Binetti who was by his side in life, and in his passing. They explored Florida parks and traveled all around Florida playing beach volleyball tournaments together. Ernie’s love will always be with Stephanie, and Stephanie’s love will always be with Ernie.
Ernie left behind a rather large fan club on the morning of December 22nd, 2018. While we can only imagine the way Ernie met the arms of his heavenly Father in one gigantic fuzzy tear-stained reunion, we are witnessing the legacy that Ernie has left here. Those two adoring parents; Patty and Steve Bambauer, will carry this precious bundle to its final rest. And we, his siblings will watch for the gentle breezes along the Sacramento River to carry fresh memories of this brother we have loved. These siblings include Laura Bambauer Brooks, Joshua Bambauer, Clara Bambauer Cross, Andrew Bambauer, and Sarah Bambauer Talley. And the cousins; David Bambauer, Becky Giesbrecht, Steve Bambauer, and Julie Varney. Ernie is also survived by his love, Stephanie Binetti, many other cousins, nephews and nieces, and aunts and uncles, and a very long list of people who loved him.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of our beloved Ernie is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 1 PM. The service will be held at the Quattlebaum Funeral Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33417, with a reception to follow at Season's 52: 11611 Ellison Wilson Rd. Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408 . In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation of time or capital in Ernie’s honor, to your local Alzheimer’s support group, or the Peg Taylor Center (http://www.pegtaylorcenter.org/Welcome.html).
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the excellent care Ernie received from Dr. Byers and staff at Saint Mary’s Trauma Center ICU. They are also grateful for the tender and compassionate care of Dr. Frankel and the ICU team at Florida Medical Center, CVICU. Finally, our hearts are humbled by the generous kindness of so many during Ernie’s care. We are grateful.
