Ernest "Ernie" Arthur Knesel Jr.

On December 11th, 1945, Catherine Charlotte Knesel was in the hospital with what her husband, Ernest Arthur Knesel Sr., feared was a broken arm. Instead of walking out in a cast, she gave birth to her first son, Ernest Arthur Knesel Jr.. Ernie spent the early years of his childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up surrounded by his grandparents, Peter and Hughette Maier, and a lively group of cousins. He and his male cousins spent countless hours playing on his grandparents’ property, often alongside the animals. Ernie was especially fond of the two goats and loved to pretend he was a Mexican bullfighter, gleefully taunting the goats in mock battles that filled the yard with laughter. Those playful days were sometimes interrupted by the stern hand of his grandfather Papa Pete, who was a barber by trade. He insisted on cutting the boys’ hair himself, often holding them down if they squirmed too much, turning what might have been a simple trim into a dreaded family ritual.

Ernie and his family packed up moving to Thunderbolt Island outside of Savannah, Georgia. In 1959, Ernie enrolled in St. John Vianney Seminary and dedicated the next four years studying earnestly to become a Priest. During the annual St. Patrick Day’s Parade, Ernie and his fellow seminarians were instructed to look at their watches when girls walked by to avoid temptation. But the sight of the majorettes, twirling batons with bright smiles and high kicks, proved to be too powerful of a force. It wasn’t long before he realized his true calling might not involve a collar.

After leaving the seminary, Ernie and his family moved to New Jersey, where he pursued his passion for science. He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biochemistry. While in New Jersey, fate intervened in the form of a blind date with Lynn Menge. Sparks flew, and the two were married on June 2, 1968. Ernie found his stride as a senior medical technologist at Englewood Hospital. Where his steady hand and calm presence earned the trust of many, especially one loyal patient who insisted only Ernie could draw his blood, eventually allowing Lynn to do it as well.

Ernie's passion and drive led he and Lynn to Burlington, North Carolina, where he helped found Biomedical Reference Laboratories, and served as SVP of Laboratories at Roche Biomedical Laboratories, now known as Labcorp. Always chasing the next big idea, Ernie was drawn to innovation and opportunity. He continually sought out new projects that pushed boundaries, broadened access to diagnostic care, and advanced the field of medical science. Along the way, he formed lifelong friendships with colleagues who shared his vision and drive, bonds that remained strong long after the workday ended. His legacy is one of curiosity, leadership, and a deep commitment to both progress and people.

Ernie passed peacefully on August 5, 2025 at 11:45 am. He is survived by his wife, Lynn, his brother and his wife, Danny and Mary, his three children and their spouses, Eric and Cheryl, Tami and Geoff, and Brad and Jenny, and his seven grandchildren, Teresa, Rachael, Alex, Adam, Andrew, Zach, and Tyler. Ernie’s life was marked by love, service, and dedication. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 12:15 PM at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 109 W. Smith St., Greensboro, NC 27401. Inurnment will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ernie's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org