Ernest Leonard McMullen

1/14/1943 – 1/5/2024

Ernest (Ernie) McMullen passed away after a decline in health following a fall. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathryn McMullen, his sister Susan Dannemann, his children Carol McMullen-Pettit and Ernest G McMullen, and seven grandchildren: Bret Michael Pettit, Jesse Walter Pettit, Kathryn Mae Pettit, Cameron Jade McMullen, Ernest John McMullen, Logan Rose McMullen, and Morgan Jane McMullen. Ernie was born in Newcastle, PA, the second child and first-born son of his parents, Ernest E McMullen and Doris (Leonard) McMullen.

His birth made the front-page news of the local paper. He was born while the hospital was using its emergency power generators for the first time amid power blackouts during World War II. After high school, he enrolled in the armed forces. Ernie was proud of his accomplishments in the service including the accolades he received for his marksmanship and his membership in the Polar Bear Strike Club. During his tenure in the Army, he survived the Great Alaskan earthquake that registered a 9.2 in Anchorage, Alaska. It was the most powerful earthquake recorded in North America. Following his service, he moved to Florida and began a long career as a technical specialist in the nascent field of transistor technology in computers.

Ernie’s resume read like the introduction to a textbook on Computer Science. He worked for the computer division of RCA, the Control Data Corporation, Gould, Harris, Encore, and completed his career at Sun-Microsystems from which he retired at the age of 57. Some of his accomplishments included installing the computer systems on the Lunar Lander, the voting system for Congress, and resolving issues holding up the inaugural launch of the space shuttle Columbia, the first space shuttle.

After that, Ernie was free to pursue his interests of reading, roadside Geology, and nature, specifically our National Park System. He kept his bird feeder full and knew every squirrel on the block. He also turned his attention to his favorite hobby, caring for his wife. He began packing her lunches for work and planning international travel for her and his younger sister, Susan. He also made at least annual trips to Pennsylvania to be with family. While there he engaged in boating, hiking, and riding the rails with his younger brother, John. He also enjoyed reporting on the athletic and academic pursuits of his grandchildren.

He is dearly missed by his family and friends.

Donations can be made in memory of Ernest Leonard McMullen in support of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center of The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University.

To make an online donation, go to https://fauf.fau.edu/funds/give/. Please select Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center in the designation box. Please also fill out the tribute information.

To make a donation via check, please make the check payable to FAU Foundation, Inc. and write Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center in the memo line with a note in memory of Ernest Leonard McMullen.

A visitation for Ernest will be held Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Babione - Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33432. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 SR- 7 S, Lake Worth, FL 33449.