Windsor, Vt. —
Bernie, an accomplished pianist, met his favorite soprano, Colleen Marie (Kinkade), while serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He accompanied her in music, family, friends and life for 63 years.
A self-starter with a love of learning and travel, Bernie parlayed a teaching degree from Wayne State University (the first in his family to attend college) into a career as a senior executive at General Motors. He retired in 1991 from the Opel division in Zurich, Switzerland. Bernie was accomplished in many ways, but no matter what accolades were bestowed on him, Bernie always maintained that he was most proud of his family.
Bernie is survived by Colleen; his son Brett (wife Mariann); his daughter Holly Groschner (husband Christropher); his beloved brother Roy Ernst; and his cherished grandchildren Alexandra (Jeremy Zalben), Victoria, and Kate. He also loved being an uncle and was especially fond of his nieces and nephews.
After many years at home in Rochester, Mich., Bernie and Colleen have lived in Vermont and New Hampshire since 1995. Wherever he went, Bernie’s service to the community involved music and choirs, such as the Quechee Congregational Church, the Quechee Troubadours, the Dartmouth Alumni Mens Choir, and playing for the Woodstock Rotary.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m., at Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School Street, Lebanon, N.H. Bernie’s funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Pine Knolls Cemetery in Hanover. Colleen Ernst now resides at 32 Buck Road, Hanover, NH 03755.
An online guestbook is available to leave Bernie’s family a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.