Rick Ernstrom

1945 - 2025

Rick Ernstrom

December 13, 1945 - April 12, 2025

San Luis Obispo, California - Rick Ernstrom was born on December 13, 1945, in Seattle, Washington to Dick and EmmyNell Ernstrom. At age 8, his family moved to Santa Barbara where he was raised.

He was one of three children. During the years Rick grew up, his family was also home to between 30 and 40 foster kids of all ages.

Growing up in Santa Barbara, Rick attended Grace Church, modeled after Grace Central Coast.

In June of 1965, Rick married Sharon. Rick was 19 and Sharon was 21. Rick delighted in sharing with people that his dad had to go with them to get their marriage license because he was not 21 yet.

Rick attended Santa Barbara schools, graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1963 and Santa Barbara City College in 1966 with his BS degree.

In 1967 Rick and Sharon moved to San Luis Obispo where Rick entered Cal Poly. When someone once asked him how he got on the Dean's List while there (an honor for students with high grades), he told them, "You might take home bad grades to your mom, but not your wife." He majored in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in teaching. He began his teaching career at San Luis Obispo High School in September, 1969, and never looked back. He taught woodshop in the same room for 39 years and would quickly hold up both hands to show you he still had all 10 fingers. He retired from teaching in June, 2008, but loved coaching so much he continued on until June of 2022. He coached the San Luis Obispo High School boys swim and dive team for 53 years. The team records were many. Rick was a dedicated teacher and coach who truly mentored his many students, swimmers and divers.

Pericles, a 5th Century Greek politician and general, said this:

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven in the lives of others." This so exemplifies Rick's life.

Rick spoke several years ago at a dinner. This is what he ended with:

"I'd like to share with you a quote from Vin Scully, the voice of the Dodgers for 67 years. Mr. Scully was asked about the success of his long career and he replied, 'First of all, I attribute it to one thing and one thing only... God's grace to allow me to do what I've been doing for 67 years. To me, Vin continued, 'That's really the story not really me I'm just a vessel that was passed hand to hand down through the years.'

And Rick then finished with, "And that's exactly the way it has been for me, too."

He was very involved with his church, was on the leadership team for many years, taught Sunday School, briefly played on the softball team and led a boys' group. His favorite vacations were camping in the redwood trees in Northern California. He excelled at woodworking, enjoyed working with kids and faithfully watched the Dodgers.

Rick loved his siblings. They include Brother Dan and wife Joy, Sister Suzy and husband, Jeff, and many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his foster brother, Captain Ray Fairman and wife, Joan, brother-in-law Greg Eagy and wife Stef Ann, sister-in-law Evie Black and sister-in-law Lahna Eagy.

He will be SO missed by his immediate family - Sharon, his wife of almost 60 years, his sons and wives, Erik and Jenny, Mark and Katie, Josh and Ashley, and the 13 "grands" who loved him and called him "Papa": Ben and wife Erin, Luke, Nancy, Ricky, Landen, Chase, Annika, Kaycie and fiancé Broderick, Scott, Elliott and Everett.

As a young boy growing up, Rick followed the life his parents modeled for him. They taught him from the Bible and he, too, believed in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." While growing up, he accepted this verse as his own and asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of his life. He radiated the love of Jesus.