Ernest Linus Rischar

Ernest L. Rischar, Oak View, California Ernest “Ernie” Rischar, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died on Thursday, September 29th at the age of 77. For the past several years, Ernie faced the challenges of a Parkinson’s-like neurological condition with his usual mix of courage, strength of character and amazing sense of humor. Ernie was born in Quincy, IL on November 28, 1938 to George and Mildred (Cramsey) Rischar. He grew up in Quincy with his siblings Mary Ann and George, spending many summers on his uncle’s farm. He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, on a work/study program with the Navy and it was there that he met and fell in love with a blue-eyed Irish gal from Kalamazoo, Michigan named Julie Ryan. Ernie graduated in 1961 with a degree in civil engineering and he and Julie were married in 1963 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Gull Lake, Michigan. After college, Ernie joined the Marine Corps and began his life-long love of flying as an A4 pilot serving aboard the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean. In May of 1964, Ernie and Julie’s first daughter Wendy was born on the Marine base in Paris Island, SC. In 1965, he was hired by Continental Airlines in Los Angeles where, in 1967, their son Curt was born. As luck would have it, while on a camping trip with friends, Ernie discovered the beautiful Ojai Valley and it was there that the family moved one last time. Their third child, Rachael, was born at Ojai Hospital in 1971. In 1984, after a takeover of Continental Airlines, Ernie made a principled decision to change careers and began working for Patagonia in Ventura, allowing the family to stay in Ojai and him to pursue his passion for the outdoors. He served as Production Manager and COO before retiring in 1997. During his “retirement” Ernie continued his love of flying, adding to his over 10,000 flying hours in a variety of other aircraft. He built and flew an experimental airplane with a friend and owned several others, including a Nanchang CJ-6 Chinese military trainer. It was in this plane that he used his flying expertise to train and lead the Tiger Squadron of the Red Star Pilots Association in formation flying. They were involved in air shows and competitions and were the first squadron to win a formation flying championship two times in a row. Ernie was a kind-hearted, easy-going person with a quick wit and an infectious smile. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to share nature and adventures with family and friends, and if the day ended with a good IPA or a big bowl of peppermint ice cream, well even better! Ernie was ALWAYS planning a trip, whether it be to visit his kids, spend time with Julie at the family cottage in Michigan or to head out on yet another adventure. Because of his determined pursuit of fun Ernie’s “once in a lifetime” trips were continuous, and included exploring the wilderness of Alaska, rafting and kayaking the Colorado River, and a multitude of other backcountry hiking and flying adventures. Yet ultimately, in his mind, there was no better place than sitting out on the brick patio he built, looking out over the Ojai Valley with his life partner of 53 years. Ernie was a man of many talents (too many to name) but above all else, his greatest talent was his ability to enjoy life to the fullest and live in the moment. He taught his children and grandchildren to act on principle and he always led by example. As one of his friends said recently, "I just can't imagine this world without Ernie,” which pretty much sums up the feelings of those who knew and loved him. Ernie is survived by his loving wife Julie of Oak View, CA; daughter Wendy (Herman) Bond and granddaughters Julia and Lauren of Orinda, CA; son Curt (Nguyet) and granddaughters Rae-Linh and Anna-Ly of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and daughter Rachael (fiancé Edward) of Portland, OR. A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held in December. Memorials in his honor may be sent to HELP of Ojai (www.helpofojai.org) or The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (www.ovlc.org).