Ernest Harold "Ernie" Altice

Ernest (Ernie) Altice passed away on Saturday, October 12 at Pacifica Senior Living Home in Ellensburg. He was 102. He is survived by his sons Jim, Jeff, daughter in law Mimi, and granddaughter April.

Ernie was born in Bremerton to Howard Altice and his wife Ethel (Waters). He was an only child. After relocating briefly to Richmond, CA, the family returned to Ellensburg, where both families had deep roots. Ernie's grandfather was Richard Waters, the first millwright at Thorp Mill. After graduating from Ellensburg High School in 1939, Ernie enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle. The war interrupted his studies and after training at Oklahoma State University, he was stationed aboard the escort carrier USS SUWANEE (CVE-27) as a radio technician. His service continued through the end of the war in the western Pacific, including a visit to the ruins of Nagasaki. After discharge from the Navy in 1945, he resumed his studies, dividing time between the UW, working nights at Boeing, and weekend trips to help with the family dairy farm in Ellensburg. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering.

In 1958, he met Patricia Small on the Vashon Island ferry. She was a teacher at Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma, and the two wed that year. They built a family, welcoming two sons, Jim (1959) and Jeff (1961).

In 1967 Boeing offered a posting as service engineer in Kabul, Afghanistan. Both Pat and Ernie were enthusiastic about the move and the family spent two years in Kabul, with Ernie working as Boeing's representative to Ariana Afghan Airlines and Pat teaching english at a women's college in the capital city. A subsequent posting to Royal Air Maroc took the family to Casablanca, Morocco. The family returned to Seattle in 1972 due to Pat's illness. Pat passed away in 1978. Ernie did not remarry.

In 1990, Ernie retired after 43 years at Boeing and returned home to Ellensburg where former classmates and extended family members helped him reintegrate into life in the valley after the long absence. In his final 10 years he was able to continue living in his own house, thanks to help from John Andreotti, Janine Dellinger, Dianne Semko, Jan and Walt Bates and Ron and Patti Cline.

Ernie specified that his ashes were to be spread on a specific hill in the valley. His written instructions asked that no memorial service be held.