Ernest L. Karlstrom Born May 18, 1928 in Seattle, Washington, and died at age 89 on January 1, 2018, while residing at Franke Tobey Jones Retirement Community in Tacoma. Ernie was the youngest son of Reverend Otto and Alva Karlstrom, founders in 1920 of the Lutheran Compass Mission on Seattle's Skid Row. The mission evolved into the Compass Housing Alliance, and continues to serve the homeless in Seattle and King County. Ernie was preceded in death by wife Marilyn (Charles) Karlstrom, with whom he shared 67 memorable years. She became a fellow teacher (elementary level classroom, and librarian). Ernie was also preceded by one sister and four brothers. Family survivors include one son/two daughters/six grandchildren (with associated partners) and two great-granddaughters. A graduate of West Seattle High School, Ernie followed a strong family tradition seeking higher education. He received his B.A. from Augustana College, Illinois, M.S. from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. In earlier years Ernie worked as a seasonal ranger-naturalist at three national parks (and as wife and mother, Marilyn was a trooper, willing to rough it as field companion). Research and teaching sent him worldwide throughout his career, carrying into retirement, when Ernie conducted studies on the recolonization of animals at Mount St. Helens (which incidentally erupted on his birthday in 1980!). Professor Karlstrom taught biology for over 37 years, the latter 31 at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma. Ernie was elected to the Tacoma Metropolitan Park Board in 1972, serving one term. Throughout his career and into retirement - responding to his love and devotion to parks and forests - he gave tirelessly to multiple preservation and natural sciences organizations, serving as board member/chair or consultant. In retirement he volunteered at the Point Defiance Zoo/Aquarium, with Harbor Wildwatch, and as a naturalist aboard the tall ship Adventuress. Ernie and Marilyn moved to their beachfront home on Fox Island in 1976, with farfar/morfar (Swedish for grandfather) creating with Marilyn (farmor/mormor) magical memories for the grandkids. Ernie and Marilyn were long-time active members of the Fox Island United Church of Christ, serving in multiple capacities choir participation a favorite for Ernie. Hobbies for Ernie included avid fishing and gardening. Should a memorial gift be sent, Ernie suggested one of either student scholarship established in the Karlstrom name at Augustana College or the University of Puget Sound, the Compass Housing Alliance, or the Fox Island United Church of Christ (or charity of choice). An intimate memorial service is planned for summer 2018 at the beloved family camping property on the Olympic Peninsula.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Jan. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for ERNEST KARLSTROM

Sponsored by Neptune Society South Seattle.

18 Entries

Gisela and Theodore Taranovski

January 28, 2018

Ernie was a colleague and dear friend at the University of Puget Sound and in retirement for more than forty years. We will remember him and Marilyn, for the two were truly a matched pair, for their kindness, sincerity, generosity and gentleness of spirit, and warm friendship. Ernie was a professor and scholar who loved his discipline and his students, and who was willing to share his knowledge and experience with anyone. We will never forget when, already in retirement but still as active as ever, he took us to visit the valley of the Toutle river, several years after Mt. St. Helens eruption, to observe both the effects of the devastation and the recovery of the flora and fauna that followed. His enthusiasm and joy were simply infectious, and the image of him standing in a sunny meadow, explaining the changes that had taken place, will always remain in our mind. Ernie was salt of the earth, honest and honorable, and we will forever miss him and remember him.
Gisela and Theodore Taranovski

Stena Troyer

January 23, 2018

Loving memories to the David Attenborough of the Puget Sound. Thanks for all the lessons on marine worms and answering my many curious questions!

JoAn Moore

January 18, 2018

Ernie! Mentor, professor, role model, friend. With Endless passion and energy to share Ernie inspired generations of ecologists. His enthusiasm and expertise Inspired me to be an Ecology/ Marine Biology teacher. Special days Ernie organized for counting plants at nisqually, or sea stars on fox island encouraged so many students of all ages to care deeply about the planet and its wonders. With great respect I am forever thankful to Ernie. I wish the best to the Karlstrom family; they have lost a treasure.

Sharing the love of Puget Sound with the next generation.

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Ernie always draws a crowd.

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Ernie shares with Harbor WildWatch students aboard the Adventuress

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Students from Harbor WildWatch's youth naturalist training program

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Ernie captivating us with tales of sea stars

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Ernie leading a beach walk at low tide at the Fox Island Boat Launch

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Ernie and Marilyn at the grand opening of Harbor WildWatch

Rachel Easton

January 18, 2018

Prayers and condolences at the loss of this great man. Ernie volunteered with Harbor WildWatch and was our Steward of the year in 2016. He taught us so many facts over the years, but it is the passion he had for all living things that will carry on with those of us who had the privilege of walking the beach with him. I don't think I have ever met anyone else who could get so excited about a worm, or a clam. He was always encouraging, always so positive and I will miss him dearly.

Yosemite toad

Rob Grasso

January 16, 2018

Upon arriving to Yosemite National Park about 5 years ago I reached out to Ernie to let him know invasive bullfrogs had been removed from Yosemite Valley. Ernie was probably the first to warn the park that of these introductions and the effects it would have on native wildlife - he was right! Over the last few years Ernie and I kept in touch related to our work on Yosemite toads. In 1962 Ernie produced "The Toad Genus Bufo in the Sierra Nevada of California" Many of his theories in this work are foundational for the work we do on toads today. He certainly had true understanding of the natural world. Ernie was becoming a good friend, I will miss him.

Andreas Madlung

January 12, 2018

Although Ernie was already retired when I arrived at Puget Sound I got to to know him quite well. Ernie was a frequent visitor of the Thompson Hall Seminars at the University long until after he retired. I saw him last just two months ago when he came to a seminar I presented at Franke Tobey Jones, where he lived. We chatted before and after the talk. He seemed like always: friendly, genuinely interested in all things science, supportive, and in a jolly good mood. Ernie was a shining example of a liberal arts biologist, naturalist, and advocate for science education. I will miss his always welcoming smile.

Alison Paradise

January 12, 2018

I knew Ernie as a colleague, and father of a fellow student. What I remember most about Ernie is that warm smile and he was such a friendly guy. Whenever we ran into each other, we would always stop to chat and get caught up. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

WH Dougharty

January 12, 2018

Ernie was such a kind and thoughtful friend and colleague. He touched many lives in such a positive way during his years teaching at Puget Sound. I was lucky to know him.

Mike Valentine

January 12, 2018

Ernie was a friendly face who made me feel welcome as a new faculty member at the University of Puget Sound 20-some years ago. We used to stop and chat, even after his retirement. A kind and gentle man.

January 11, 2018

All our love and sympathy to the Karlstrom family. I know he will be missed greatly. -- Barb Delorme

Bethany Doane

January 11, 2018

We are so sad to hear of Ernie's passing. The Karlstroms were our neighbors on Fox Island until their move to FTJ. When we moved in (2003) our children were young and Ernie would take our son out on his boat to lay crab pots, swearing him to secrecy as to his "special spot"; Ernie's beach walks were highlights of the summer. They don't get nicer than Ernie and Marilyn-our condolences to his family.

Earl & Helen Sakrison

January 10, 2018

We want Ernie's family and all who loved him to know of our understanding and sympathy. He underwent much pain, but in the many times we were together with "The Augie Eight," he was always matter of fact, but also always maintained a positive and thankful way of looking at life. In the many times we were together with him, he expressed how meaningful it was to him to be with old college friends with deeply shared histories.
Again, we offer our sympathy and understanding.

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