Ernie Boston's "to do" list over the years included the writing of his obituary. However, if it exists, that summary of his life has not been found. Perhaps that is as it should be. Ernie's version of his adventures and achievements, his family knows, would be both modest and brief. But we are free now to share more about this gentle, caring man.

Ernie Boston was born January 9, 1926, in New Haven, West Virginia, the youngest of five children. He grew up in Toronto, Ohio. Early in 1944, at the age of 17, he left high school to join the U. S. Navy. After the end of World War II, Ernie enrolled in college before being recalled during the Korean conflict to work at the submarine base in New London, Connecticut.

Upon discharge he studied at Ohio University, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon and graduated with a BA in Economics and Psychology in 2½ years. He received his MBA from Ohio State University the following year. Ernie was recruited by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to work as a civilian under a management assistant program in employee relations. That's where he met Betty Roach, an employment interviewer at the base. One of their first dates was to go bowling, a sport they enjoyed together for more than six decades.

After they were married in 1952, Ernie started his career with General Electric in Cincinnati, went from there to Syracuse, N.Y., where son Brian was born, and then to Santa Barbara, Calif., where son Kerry was born. Ernie was part of the team that established the GE facility at Santa Barbara – TEMPO, a long-range planning organization, the first of its kind sponsored by private industry.

After four years, he came to Hanford with GE as Manager of Employee and Community Relations. Later, when GE phased out of its Hanford operations, Ernie and Betty decided to stay in the Tri-Cities. Following a short term with Battelle, he partnered with a real estate broker and later established Boston Real Estate Associates in Richland.

In the following 51 years, Ernie's activities in the Tri-Cities were many and varied but largely directed toward service to the community. As a long-time member of Richland Rotary, he was eventually elevated to "honorary member" status. The Citation said, "While quiet and reserved, he made good things happen in profuse succession…" Ernie was club president in 1970.

While serving as a real estate broker, he was chairman of the local professional conduct committee and actively involved in the professional standards committee of the Washington Association of Realtors. That organization awarded him the 1993 Community Service Award based on continuing public service and community spirit.

Ernie was appointed by the Governor to the Community Economic Revitalization Board CERB and served the maximum time. In 1988, during trying economic times in this community, he was chair of the Tri-Cities Diversification Board. He also led the former Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in the establishment of TRIDEC, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and TRAC.

He and Betty attended every Bulldog basketball game they could. Both their sons are Pasco High School graduates. Ernie was key to the establishment of the non-profit organization that made it possible for Pasco High students to build homes. It was a source of great satisfaction to him that the students' work drew praise from the housing professionals and union members who mentored the teens. Bulldog houses are known for their high quality.

For many years Ernie also was involved in planning and physician recruitment for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

In 1986 he was named Tri-Citian of the Year and was congratulated in person by Washington's then-governor, Booth Gardner.

The last 17 years of his life Ernie served as a Port of Pasco Commissioner, an office he very much respected and enjoyed.

Ernie loved to sing – particularly Barbershop music. He was an avid hiker with his family, using their cabin near Mount Rainier as a starting point. Many friendly poker games also were played at that cabin.

Ernie died on May 30, 2012, with his family by his side. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 59½ years, sons Kerry of Spokane and Brian with wife Anna of Shoreline, Wash., and grandchildren Angela and Michael. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Boston, his two sisters and two brothers, but is survived by caring nieces and nephews.

Interment will be during a private family service at Einan's Funeral Home Mausoleum. A memorial celebration, including lunch, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Einan's Memories at Sunset Event Center, 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland. His family invites all who want to commemorate Ernie's life to join together at that time. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to the Rotary Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Ernie would not want this to be a sad event. We'll do our best to honor that.