Birth date: Jul 11, 1946 Death date: Jun 4, 2012
Earnest Robert Harrison Earnest Robert Harrison of Severna Park, MD died on June 4, 2012. He was 65. Earnest was born July 11, 1946 in Alabama to the late Earnest R. Harrison and Sylvia Shupp Harrison. He attended University of Read Obituary
I am so very sad to hear of Ernie's passing. I had the privilege of teaching him guitar for 2 years in Annapolis and Baltimore. Ernie was a talented individual who loved the guitar and its music...it was a honor to know him and I will miss working with him very much.
Dear Peggy, Jenny, and the rest of the family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ernie's early passing. When I last saw him he was as vibrant as ever but this cancer can be brutally fast. I know that because my mother-in-law was fighting the same thing at exactly the same time, passing in late May. I only hope that the damage done by the biopsy wasn't so severe that you could not enjoy your last time with him.
Ernie was a long-time colleague of mine from Westinghouse/Northrop Grumman. We worked on numerous programs together and spent many years in adjacent offices. I can assure you that all of the accolades I have seen cited in the other messages posted here were completely well-deserved. Ernie was probably the most techincally proficient person I ever worked with. He demonstrated both the range and depth of his capabilities on almost a daily basis. But he was unique in other ways as well. The leadership roles he took on put him under immense pressure but he always found ways to: 1) maintain and clear and logical approach to completng the job; and 2) talk to myself and others about the things that really matter in life. He understood people (at least other engineers) as well as he understood math and engineering.
Ernie was a true leader, a fantastic mentor, and an inspration to many. His legacy will be felt here for a long time to come. I have missed him since he left and now I will miss him more.
My condolences to the entire family,
Pete DeCesare
To Ernie's Family,
Ernie was an inspiration to me. He was a great teacher, a fearless leader and one of the most talented engineers I have known during my 31 years at Westinghouse and Northrop Grumman. Most of all, he was my friend. He will be missed.
My Sincere Condolences,
Jeff Bell
To Ernie's Family,
I was shocked to learn that Ernie passed away.
I remember well working with Ernie at Westinghouse in the early / mid 1980's; most closely developing hardware in the lab and then as I spent time integrating the systems in the field. Ernie was one of the two coworkers that had the greatest influence on my development as a young engineer.
Under the gun to solve a problem, many other people would take a "shotgun" approach - "Try this. No? OK, try that." With Ernie it was; "Take it easy. What do we know, and how do we know it?" Then; "What does it mean?" - we'd make measurements,and we'd go think about what they meant. After a few minutes or maybe after lunch, we'd get back together and talk about the problem and a path to a solution would emerge. Ernie's mind was quick, he could really think on his feet. Later I'd realize.he'd had the solution and allowed me to work it out on my own.
I'd call back from a field site and start describing a problem to him, mentally integrating what I'd observed and what I measured; formulating an accurate description as I went along . More than a few times, about half way through the description I'd say; "Oh, wait a minute, I think I've got it" and we'd end the call.
Ernie later told me it was frustrating to only hear about half of a problem and then I'd go away. I took that as a complement and a point of pride.
I didn't get to work with Ernie in my later career, but the early lessons - "Think first, then do," - continue to serve me well. I try to pass them on, both to my children, and when I work with young engineers now.
I'm sad to know he's gone.
Frank Caherty
Here are two corrections for his obituary: Our mother's maiden name was Shoup. Ernie graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Here are a few more detalis: He got a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1968 before going on to Georgia Tech where he got his Master's. He was awarded a Lamy fellowship from Westinghouse and used it to study mathematics at M.I.T. for a year.
Dear Lee and Gary,
Ernie was my dear brother. Your memories mean a lot to me. The man you describe was the brother I talked with and later corresponded with about math, science and philosophy at the deepest qualitative level and of a unique nature since we were teenagers. We were going great guns hoping to apply some new mathematics to quantum gravitation when the tumor struck him. I knew about both of you through him, even though I never met you. I wish we could meet at some service, but I don't think that will happen. Look me up if you come to the SF Bay Area.
Jenny Harrison (U.C. Berkeley, Department of Mathematics)
Family of Ernie,
Ernie was a good friend and a fantastic colleague. I can't count all the times he helped or assisted me in solving technical problems. As Lee Cole said, he was super smart, but was humble about it. He always took time to talk with me no matter how busy he was. He will be missed. When my wife and I retired in 2010, we moved to Arizona, so I am saddened I can't be present for services in his memory.
Gary B. Wixom
Dear Peggy and family- I was very saddened to learn of Erine's untimely death, he was a dear friend. I worked along side of Ernie for many years until his retirement. I have never meet a persson quite like Ernie, very smart but without the attitude that often accompanies intelligence. I shall miss him.
Lee Cole
