|
.png)
Voy Ernest Althaus, Jr.
December 17, 1951 - February 15, 2021
Searching for a way to sum up the life of our big brother, Ernie Althaus, in the wake of his quiet passage early Monday morning in Houston.
Ernie was born in New Orleans, reportedly three weeks late with a full head of red hair. Our dad worked as an exploration geologist for Humble Oil (now Exxon), so our family moved between NOLA and Houston several times throughout our childhood years. Ernie came home from the hospital to their house in Gentilly Woods, then moved to Houston just blocks from the medical center, then returned to Louisiana. Rather than moving back to the city, our parents joined with several other young professional families to develop a unique neighborhood north of Lake Pontchartrain accessed by the newly-completed causeway.
As I sort through the images of our childhoods in Tchefuncta, I'm reminded of roaming the backwoods, swimming the lake, biking to swim team practice, and waiting at the community bus stops for a ride to school on cold mornings. From Sunday School and scouting at First Methodist Church in Covington to repeatedly winning the regional Science Fair and delivering the ninth grade speech at Madisonville Jr. High School, Ellen and I watched as our brother mastered our grade school universe. HIs bond with Dirk van Duym's family, just across the street, introduced him to hiking the Appalachian Trail and backpacking in the Rockies, which culminated with camping at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM.
When we moved to Houston in 1967, Ernie became the city's most loyal citizen. Nothing could beat his years at Westchester High School as he continued to win Science Fairs, served as trainer for the football team, and participated in Key Club. He excelled in Chemistry under Ms. Madelen Rey and adored his physics teacher, Mr. Bill Franklin. His best friend Laurie Jones figured large through the years, particularly late in life when he coached Ernie back to health and home seven years ago.
Ernie loved our fourteen cousins on both sides of the family. Holidays alternated between Meridian, MS and the family ranch at Big Flat, near Willow City. We played croquet with Lisa and Guy when visiting our grandmother, then pop the whip, jigsaw puzzles, and collecting hens' eggs with our mob of Texas cousins every Thanksgiving.
Following his graduation from UT Austin, Ernie returned to Houston to embark on a career as a chemical engineer. He worked for various companies including stints in South Korea and Bahrain. He attended young adult Sunday School, served in professional societies, worked on a master's at U of H and began jogging. In 1995, Patti McClintic married Ernie and moved to their house in Meyerland, followed soon by the births of Paul in 1998 and Laura in 2001. Those busy years flew by, only for us to realize at some point that Ernie was grappling with the ravages of Parkinson's disease. Those complications, coupled with kidney disease, finally got the better of him. Now we wish our big brother a fond farewell.
"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26
Voy Ernest Althaus, Jr. December 17, 1951 - February 15, 2021
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
|
Bob Mason (1970)
Oh, no! I am so sorry. He was instrumental in Key Club and one of the founding members. Great guy.
Bob Mason
Timothy "Tim" Michael Mulvahill (1970)
I would like to express my sympathy to the family and friends of Ernie Althaus. I knew Ernie as a friendly and helpful person at Westchester. He helped some of us on the track team with physical therapy.
In later years I met up with Ernie as a fellow engineer at Fluor and in a professional engineering society. I am sure he will be greatly missed.
Alyson Paige Grice (1970)
Ernie was the quintessential gentleman. He was kind and caring. As a member of the Wranglerettes, I was in a group who was "responsible" for wrapping his house during football season. I also knew Ernie through Memorial Drive Methodist Church and MYF. Ernie was loved and respected by so many. I am privileged to have known him.
Brenda Spurlock (Edmonds Arnold) (1971)
My heartfelt sympathy goes to Ernie's family and longtime friends. May you find peace knowing that Ernie is now in his heavenly home. Although I knew Ernie at Westchester, my best recollection of him was through Memorial Drive Methodist Church and the youth fellowship. Ernie was always so kind and understanding, especially of those of us "non-engineering" types! In reading about all of his accomplishments both personally and professionally, it is obvious that our world is a better place because of Ernie's contributions.
May God give you peace,
Brenda Spurlock Edmonds