Ernie Fredrick Kling

1912 - 2008

"People have more fun because there's more of them" and "Enjoy yourself, It's later than you think" were sage thoughts often spoken or sung by Ern throughout much of his 92 years.

Ernie Fredrick Kling was born in Youngstown, Ohio, June 24, 1915. His German-born mother and father migrated to America during the immigration movement of the latter 1800s. Together as a family, including his younger brother, Werner, they founded the Youngstown Burial and Vault Co. In 1934, Ern went to Notre Dame to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering. While there, various sports interested him as well as the desire to help pay for his education. He assisted in designing and building the first wind tunnel on the Notre Dame campus. It's still being used today! After graduating with honors in 1938, he set out for a career in the aviation industry. He began with the Glen Martin Aircraft Co. in Baltimore, Md., earning 72 cents per hour or $28 weekly.

Romancing Kathleen O'Hara culminated in a 1939 marriage. Patti, Karen, Tina and Fritz came along between 1940 and 1950. Also during this decade, the family moved to Florida, where Ern worked for Pan American, and his salary increased to $365 monthly or $91.25 weekly! Another job change occurred, and the family moved to San Diego, where he worked for Convair. From 1950 to 1964, Ern kept thoroughly occupied with the foothills, avocado groves, high school dances, daughters' beaus, painting the 1950 Studebaker (better known as the "Blue bomb"), Collie dogs, family outings to La Jolla Beach and redesigning and building the family home on Topa Topa Drive in La Mesa, Calif.!

The space race interested him and returned the family to the midst of the action, Cape Kennedy, from 1964 to 1967. While there, Ern worked for Boeing on the Apollo moon shot, supporting the ground equipment team. In 1968, he returned the family to California and began working for he Lockheed Corp. The Giant L1011 was the project that caught his interest. Once this project was completed, he joined the Rockwell Aviation Co., working on the B-1 bomber until 1975. During these 55 years, he had seen aviation grow from the Wright Bros. to outer space.

Real estate became the next interest for both Ernie and Kay, founding Kling Really Co. in Westlake Village until Kay preceded him in death in 1989. Ern continued to live in Westlake Village, the last three years of 92 years at Sunrise Assisted Living, where he enjoyed many friends, walked the periphery of the building six times daily (two miles, he said) as the other residents cheered him on! He loved to listen to Dennis Prager's radio program and watch "The O'Reilly Factor" daily, not to mention smoke his pipe to everyone's chagrin!

His passion was to play the organ and attend St. Jude's Church weekly. His generosity supported students at Notre Dame, helped his family, which included four children, their spouses; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was an inspiration with his work ethic, an inspiration for his love of music and his love of God. Ern went home to with the Lord on Dec. 21, 2007.

We will always remember those sage thoughts and songs that kept us laughing, dear Daddy! We thank God for your life!

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Westlake Village. A luncheon will immediately follow in the adjoining hall.