Robert L. ERNST

1943 - 2017

ERNST, Robert L. "Bob" Passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital. He was born on August 17, 1943 in Indianapolis, IN to John and Cornelia Ernst. Mr. Ernst had a very distinguished career in the banking and financial services industry for over 46 years. He retired from Fifth Third Bancorp in 2003. Mr. Ernst was the Head of Corporate Development for 5/3 and was formerly the Regional President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank-Butler/Warren/Preble Counties. Prior to his tenure with Fifth Third, Mr. Ernst was President & CEO of Dollar Federal Savings Bank in Southwestern Ohio for 17 years. Following his retirement in 2004, Mr. Ernst co-founded Financial Performance Partners, a management consulting firm specializing in providing financial services to community banks across the country. Mr. Ernst was extremely active in community service to Cincinnati, Hamilton, Fairfield, and throughout Butler County for decades. His involvement included the Chamber of Commerce, HEDC Corporation, United Way, and the Board of the Metropolitan YMCA. Mr. Ernst was also extremely active in coaching and supporting youth sports over the years. Along with his wife Nelda, Mr. Ernst was very actively involved with philanthropic endeavors focused on elementary, secondary, high school, and college education. They have assisted a number of young people in their pursuits of higher education by providing scholarships opportunities at Badin High School and for college through the Joe Nuxhall Scholarship Foundation. He was recognized for his community service to young people by receiving the Outstanding Young Man Award, The National YMCA Layman of the Year Award, The Hamilton-Fairfield Distinguished Service Award, and The Excellence in Education Distinguished Service Award. In 2016, Mr. Ernst was inducted into Badin High School's Hall of Honor along with the Butler/Warren County Business Hall of Fame. His involvement in the community was always evident, as he always seemed to know someone everywhere he went and somehow, he never forgot a name. Mr. Ernst is survived by his wife Nelda, son David (Emily) Ernst and grandkids (Garrett, AJ, Shelby), daughter Kelli (Eric) Hodges and granddaughter (Elli Grace), brother Bill (Rose Ann) Ernst, brother Dick (Becky) Ernst, and sister Kay (Larry) West. In the recent years, Bob and Nelda could be seen attending as many events as possible to support their grandkids. Mr. Ernst always put the kids first whether it was his own kids and grandkids or area youth. "Giving back and always remembering where you came from" was his motto and the words he lived by every day. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 5-8 PM at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home 1350 Millville Ave. Hamilton, OH 45013. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11 AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church 2550 Millville Ave. Hamilton, OH 45013. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church 2550 Millville Ave. Hamilton, OH 45013; Joe Nuxhall Scholarship Foundation c/o Fairfield Community Foundation 5350 Pleasant Ave., Fairfield, OH 45014 www.fairfieldcommunityfoundation.org; Badin High School Scholarship Fund 571 New London Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013; or Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School 7197 Mother Teresa Ln., Liberty Township, OH 45044. Condolences can be made at www.browndawsonflick.com