Trending
Robert "Stace" Ernest, 63, passed away Nov. 30, 2023.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Robert Richard Ernest and Agnes "Judy" Newlands Yule Ernest. Surviving are a son, Robert Adam Ernest; sisters, Diane Vondrasek and Jeannine Showalter; nieces, Britannia Vondrasek and Liza Showalter; nephew, Isaac Showalter; brothers-in-law, Steven Showalter and Robert Vondrasek; maternal aunties: Catherine, Victoria and Mary; and many cousins.
Stace served in United States Army Special Operations Forces as a sniper in Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, and Operation Acid Gambit, Panama. He was an Expert Marksman. Stace was fiercely loyal and protective of his family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially at the family cottage, and walking in the woods with his dogs. He was a keen observer and his insights brightened the lives of those he loved. He will be sorely missed by his sister, Diane, his niece, Brit, and his brothers-in-law, Steve and Bob.
Stace was born on a St. Valentine's Day Sunday. He had a big heart and a kind, generous spirit. Like his father, he was devastatingly charming and he had a dry, engaging sense of humor. Like his mother, he was resilient and eternally hopeful. His lifelong dream was to win the lottery, buy a mountain camp and provide free lodging for "city kids," where he could introduce them to God's creatures and Mother Nature's glorious world.
His family respectfully requests donations be made, in Stace's memory, to protect and preserve a local mountain (in the care of The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission) where Stace spent countless happy hours: Brush Mountain Preserve, The Nature Conservancy 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203; (800) 628-6860; https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/brush-mountain-preserve-the-nature-conservancy/