Ernie Koehler was a wonderful, wonderful man who loved people and life and lived his life to the fullest! Ernie was Marla’s and mine principal at George W. Johnson Elementary School for many fun- filled years, and we learned so much from him, not just about teaching, about life in general and came to love him like a favorite uncle! Even our sons, Bryan and Matt, grew up loving “Mr. K” because he always talked to them and had fun with them whenever they hung out at school with me, and of course, his Christmas Eve visits to our house dressed as Santa were always the highlight of the year in their young lives growing up! Everyone gravitated to Ernie at social functions, whether it be a meeting or a party, because they knew that Ernie was a hilarious storyteller and that they’d be in for a real treat and a barrel of laughs once he got going and they saw his pursed lips and mischievous twinkle in his eyes!!! In looking back, I’m so glad that I was a part of the committee, along with Dr. Sharon Wells and Nadine Herceg, that sought to honor Ernie for his 30 plus years of dedicated service toU-E both as a teacher, administrator, and community activist by having the lobby of its “new” school, George F. Johnson Elementary School, named after him! Lastly, I have many fond memories and stories about Ernie, but one of my personal favorites is the time I lost my 4th grade position at GWJ due to downsizing and again the following year at TJW again for downsizing so Ernie called me at home the night before reassignment of choosing new positions and told me that he’d love to have me back at GWJ and after swearing me to secrecy, told me that he had it all worked out that if I’d select a kindergarten position the next day, he had a 5th grade teacher who would then swap me her position for it. To everyone’s shock because I had no experience with kg., I did select kindergarten and AGM Principal Dave Zandy, who thought I was coming to his school, wouldn’t speak to me for over a year as a result of it! I also fondly remember taking Ernie and another favorite retired principal of mine, Mr. Alan Ardell, out to lunch one time when both men were in their mid 80s, and when I dropped Ernie off at his house at the end of the day ready for a nap, I asked him what he was going to do next and he happily replied that he was driving to Elmira to help a nephew that had just gotten a new boat! I could go on and on about Ernie, but sadly Ernie has left us and there’ll never be anyone ever like him again, so I’ll just say from all of the Beattie family (Marla, Bryan, Matthew, and myself), thanks for the memories “Mr. K”, thanks for being our friend, and may you Rest In Peace!!! In loving memory, Gary, Marla, Bryan, and Matthew Beattie

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