R. Ernest Romanowski Jr.

ROMANOWSKI, R. ERNEST, JR., 64, died March 15, 2003, after a courageous, year-long battle with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare, very aggressive skin cancer. Born in Dallas on June 13, 1938, to Raymond and Elma Bilger Romanowski, he graduated from North Dallas High School, attended Texas A & M University, and graduated from East Texas State University in 1961, where he also did graduate work and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. A lover of the outdoors, he worked as Range Conservationist of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests for the USDA Forest Service, Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona, from 1961 to 1970. Returning to Dallas, he obtained his realtor's license and owned Romanowski Realty until 1978. In 1975, he became partner in his family's business, Bilger Florist and Greenhouse, becoming owner in 1979 and CEO from 1984-88. In 1988, he and his wife, Doris, moved to their dream home on the Intra-Coastal Waterway, Brunswick Islands area, North Carolina, where he worked as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist for Brunswick County. He retired and they returned to Dallas in 1993 to be close to family. An award-winning drag car racer and chili cook-off champion in several states, he also enjoyed boating, swimming, and traveling. He is survived by his mother, Elma Romanowski, his loving wife of 18 years, Doris Campbell Romanowski, sister, Sonja Bilger Romanowski, son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Kathleen Pearson, grandson Christopher Pearson and wife, Brandy, grandson Joshua Pearson, uncle, Albert P. Bilger, Sr., cousins, Barbara Jean Bilger and Dr. A. Paul Bilger, Jr., and aunt, Lydia Romanowski of York, Nebraska. Honorary pallbearers are: brother-in-law, Don Campbell of Atlanta, Georgia, John Bargman, David Bode, Ed Meeks, Jim Rice, Robert Rubel, Charles Schweizer, and Fred Schweizer. An active member of St. Philip's United Methodist Church, Ernest served on the Finance Committee. The family will receive friends Monday, March 17, 2003 from 6-8 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 18 at Restland, with Rev. Dr. Boyd Sawyer of St. Philip's and Rev. Philip Hobson of St. Paul's E & R Church officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Philip's United Methodist Church Building Fund, 3717 Broadway, Garland, TX., 75043, or to the charity of your choice. Restland Funeral Home Cemetery Crematory Mausoleum Rembrandt Florist 9220 Restland Rd. Dallas 972-238-7111 www.restlandfuneralhome.com