Dr. R. Ernest Dear, 75, of Mercer Wisconsin, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 1st at the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, WI., from a rapid and debilitating lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis. Ernie and his family learned of the disease, its' unknown cause and terminal effects only 4 days before his passing. Born Rawdon Ernest Dear September 22nd, 1933 to Ernest and Klara (Olson) Dear of Ironwood, MI. Ernie graduated from L.L. Wright High School, Ironwood, MI. (1951) and Michigan State University where he attained his Bachelor of Science Degree (1955), Master of Arts Degree (1961) and Doctor of Philosophy Degree (1968). Ernie's career as an educator began as a teacher in Grand Rapids MI, principal in Morrice, MI and consultant for the Shiawasee & Clinton Intermediate School District. Upon completion of his doctorate, he served as Academic Dean/Vice-President for the newly formed College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL. He returned home to Ironwood, MI to become President of Gogebic Community College following his father's footsteps. Ernie then moved to St Clair County Community College (SC4) as Dean of Instruction and then became President where he retired in 1996. With great joy, in 2001 he returned to SC4 as interim President for a year. Ernie remained an advocate through Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) and the National Retired Teacher's Association of AARP. Throughout his distinguished career, Ernie has been recognized as a leader with appointment by Michigan Governors to the State Retirement Board, numerous citations, awards and recognitions. He possessed a natural ability to bring people together to work for the common good. His legacy will live through those who benefited from his encouragement to believe and achieve. The ultimate mediator, Ernie embraced a passion for excellence personifying trust, compassion and hope. He had strong sense of family heritage, all things Michigan State, thrived on politics and so excited about the election (voted absentee so his voice was heard), Echo Lake, 5:00 cocktail to celebrate the day, and above all pride in his family and the love of his life, his beautiful wife, Barb. He was blessed with a rich, full life and forever changed all he met. The world is a better place because of Ernie Dear, our loving husband, father, friend and educator. Ernie is survived by the love of his life, his wife Barbara Dear and his 3 daughters; Debby Dear, Sandy (Rich) Calcut and Linda Dear. Son Craig Dear, died in 1997 from complications of Type I Diabetes. Also surviving Granddaughter Denise (Joe) Friedheim and great grandchildren Andrew Friedheim, Joseph Friedheim, and Nikolas Friedheim; sister Maryanne Corder; mother-in-law, Dora Hill, sisters and brothers-in-law Dorene and Don Norton , Judy and Don Mullens, Sue and Hugh Prichard and Jeanine and Nat Lema and many cousins and countless friends everywhere. Ernie's life will be celebrated Friday, Nov.7, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church on Hwy 51 in Manitowish Waters, Wis. with Reverend Edgar Wallace of St. Matthias Episcopal Church of Minocqua, Wis. officiating. Visitation/Greetings will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Celebration at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gogebic Community College Foundation, E-4946 Jackson Rd. Ironwood, Mich. 49938-1365; St. Clair County Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 5015, Port Huron, Mich. 48061-5015; or Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP), P.O Box 23216, Lansing, Mich. 48901. To view Ernie's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood, Mich. and Hurley, Wis. The family deeply appreciates the loving care shown to Ernie by the team of conscientious care givers of the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI.