Mark Ernst, son of Bob Ernst, is known to most by his public face, as the chief executive officer of H & R Block, a Fortune 500 company, but to me, and of course his family, he is much more than that. And as Mark is much more than a businessman, so too was his father, who passed down a sense of "service to others" to Mark, his son.
On Saturday, two days before Christmas, Mark and his siblings lost their beloved father, Mr. Robert D. "Bob" Ernst. After reading a little about Mr. Ernst, "Bob," I think you will agree when I suggest that he was indeed "promoted." Gone, to a better place.
Mr. Robert D. "Bob" Ernst, 72, of Bellevue, passed away Saturday, December 23th, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family under the care of Jackson County Hospice.
Bob was born March 11th, 1934, in St. Donatus, son of the late Vernon and Augusta (Fischer) Ernst. He Married Judith Keil on October 11th, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue. She preceded him in death March 29th, 1986. He later married Grace (Ludwig) Dunne on August 21st, 1987, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. She survives.
Bob owned and operated the "Bob Ernst Insurance Agency" of Bellevue for 46 years. He was the founding member and later made an Honorary member of the Bellevue Ambulance Service, a Fourth Degree member of the Bellevue Knights of Columbus and twice previously their Grand Knight, a 40 year member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Bellevue Rotary and a member of the Independent Insurance Agents. Bob was also a longtime member of the B.E.S. Club.
Besides his wife, Grace Ernst, Bob is survived by his children, Susan (John) Haxmeier and Julie (Kevin) Hansen both of Bellevue, Patricia (Michael) Becker, Ackworth, Mark (Annette) Ernst, Mission Hills, KS, Jayne (Thomas) Keil, Overland Park, KS, Angela (Darwin) McCleish, West Des Moines, Barbara Michel, Adel and Allen Ernst, Cedar Falls; step children Brad Dunne, Bettendorf and Kelli Westchester, Ankeny; 17 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren; one great granddaughter; sisters Marilyn (Willis) Doland, Carol Agosta; brother Gerald (Dee) Ernst; sister-in-law Carolyn (Paul) Reafsnider; many other relatives and friends.
Mr. Bob D. "Bob" Ernst….rest in peace, good man.
You have been promoted.
With HOPE