Rev. Richard Karl Ernst (’66)
The following obituary was originally published by The Independent and can be found here.
Richard Karl Ernst, 87, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2024, in the home he shared with his beloved wife Barbara, in Livermore, California. He was a gentle soul, and a loving husband, father, brother, friend, and pastor to all who knew him.
Richard was born in Ellensburg, Washington, on July 18, 1937; the eldest son of Margaret and Karl Ernst, and brother to Norman and Rodney. He lived all of his young life on the West Coast, with the longest period in Portland, Oregon, and shorter stays in San Carlos, San Jose, and San Francisco, California. Richard grew up in a musical household and developed a life-long love of music, always singing in his local church choirs. With every family move, the first order of business was to find a Methodist church, which proved to be a foundational part of Richard’s life.
Upon graduation from San Francisco State 
College in 1960, Richard served two years of voluntary service in Germany with the Brethren Voluntary Service, then enrolled at Boston University’s School of Theology, culminating in a master’s degree in Sacred Theology. Richard met his first wife, Nancy Eldridge, while in seminary, and they shared two children, Jonathan and Margot. Upon Nancy’s death in 1981, he reconnected with Barbara Jetter who he had graduated with in 1955 from Willow Glen High School in San Jose. They married in 1984, and along with her three children, Dana, Teri, and Greg, the Ernst-Jetter clan became a family of seven. Barbara remained, for the next 40 years, Richard’s beloved partner in life.
Richard was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1966, and spent his entire working life as a dedicated and beloved pastor, serving churches in Bakersfield, Loomis, Livermore, San Mateo, and Rossmoor California. He had a significant impact on all the congregations he served, and was known for his thoughtful sermons, his gentle and loving nature, and his ability to listen deeply. Peace and justice issues were a central part of his faith journey, and Richard was steadfast in support of the Civil Rights movement early in his life, and the LGTBQ community in his later years.
Tennis, pickle ball, and the Golden State Warriors were a few of Richard’s passions. He traveled extensively, especially in retirement, with memorable trips with Barbara to Europe, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands. He had a wonderful voice and enjoyed singing even in his final days. He loved cards and playing board games with friends and family.
Richard loved his family dearly, and connecting with them was his primary joy near the end of his life. Richard is survived by his wife Barbara, his brothers Norman and Rodney, his children Jonathan and Margot Ernst, Dana, Teri, and Greg Jetter, his grandchildren Cayla, Nate, Nolan, and Charley, and many beloved family members including nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Please join us for Richard’s celebration of life on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m., at Asbury United Methodist Church in Livermore. The service will also be live streamed at www.asburylive.org/media/live.
Callaghan Mortuary is honored to be serving the Ernst family. An online guestbook is available for condolences at callaghanmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard’s name to Asbury United Methodist Church.