Ernest was a highly regarded faculty member in the NDSU EEE department from 1957 – 1967. His main area of interest was Biomedical Engineering. He earned his Masters Degree in 1960.

He worked in industry at Autonetics in Anaheim, CA, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH, Ulteig Engineering in Fargo, ND, Boeing in Seattle, WA, and IBM in Rochester, MN.

His creativity was evident not only in his work, but also in his activities outside teaching. He designed and built several homes in southeastern North Dakota. He played in a country and rock'n roll band and did some studio work for artists playing keyboards.

At the age of 34 Ernest died of leukemia. He is survived by five children. His wife has remarried and continues to live in Fargo.