A Tribute to Ernie

I first met Ernie 26 years ago when I started a new position at Microsoft. He was the first person at my door to welcome me, along with his beloved dog, Sunny. From that day forward, my life has been richer because of him.

A few memories that capture the wonderful man Ernie was.

The Heart of a Friend

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Ernie and I shared the same birthday, August 12th. It didn't matter where I was in the world, I would always receive a "Happy Birthday" greeting from him. He was a master of staying connected.

I remember once giving a public speech at Microsoft, and my parents came to attend. Ernie was organizing the event, and he not only saved two front-row seats for them but also personally greeted them at the door and walked them to their spots. My Mum, who thought he was "the bee’s knees," (an old English term) never forgot that act of kindness.

As many of you know, Ernie loved to cook, and corn on the cob and lasagna were two of his specialties. He brought one or the other to every get-together— the corn prepped and wrapped for the oven. I hosted one of those parties, and it took me weeks to clean my oven afterward. Little did I know each corn package held so much butter which then escaped, smoked, and went everywhere. That said, it was always fantastic corn.

Ernie was also wonderfully spontaneous. One time, when we both happened to be in Paris, he suggested we explore a neighborhood called 'Le Marais.' We went from bar to bar that night and danced until dawn. I am normally in bed by 10 p.m., but I wouldn't have traded that night for anything.

We all know how much Ernie loved Karaoke. During a sales conference in New Orleans, he convinced me to sing a duet. About a minute into our performance, a guy jumped on stage and dove out the window, immediately followed by a policeman doing the same! Ernie and I stopped, looked at each other, shrugged, and resumed our song. Nothing was going to stop him from singing.

And finally, about Ernie's competitive spirit: A small group of us would occasionally get together for a communal meal and a game of Password. As we played, Ernie would sometimes "remind" us of the rules. Coincidentally, these "rules" always seemed to favor him! He was a cheeky competitor.

His True Self

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He was, as my Mum would say, a "character"—one who wore his heart and his emotions right on his sleeve.

I truly believe that all of us have a richer life for having had Ernie in our lives. I know I certainly do.

We'll miss you, my friend.  ❤️