We are saddened to report the passing of Ernest Wertheim on August 4th. Ernest was a true pioneer of the Alpine Meadows community. Many of our readers have known him since the beginning. His son, Andy Wertheim, posted a beautiful memorial today and has given his permission to post it here. Rest in peace Ernest.
The moon was full and high in a dark starry night, spreading brilliant bright light through his beloved Alpine Valley. It was just after midnight early Tuesday morning on August 4, 2020, at 100 years 7 months and 4 days after his birth that my father, Ernest Wertheim left his family and so very many friends.
Guided by the light of the moon I am sure he easily found his way to a new meadow surrounded by mountains and filled with wildflowers where my mother has been awaiting his arrival. There will be slopes to ski and trails to hike. There will be exciting new places to explore, plenty of opportunity to use his creativity and propensity for work, to make heaven even better than we imagine it to be.
Our father was intelligent, patient, loving, hardworking(to put it mildly), giving (always volunteering his time to a myriad of good causes), and creative. Until the very end of his life he remained in search of opportunities to learn as much as he could to keep up with our rapidly changing world. He loved his work as a landscape architect and especially enjoyed the expertise he found designing Garden Centers for clients in many parts of the world. He loved a challenge and always attempted to think outside of the box.
His ashes will now be placed along with the ashes of my mother on an alpine slope among a field of primroses that return to bloom each year in July and August. His wish being that his ashes give nutrients back to the earth so beautiful flowers may thrive into infinity.
A happy German child, he watched his world brutally torn out from underneath him by the Nazi regime. He left his parents at their bequest and fled to America. His brothers ended up in Chile and England. Fleeing Germany by the skin of his teeth he landed in America and began a new life. The fact that he was educated helped him to persevere and find work in his new country.
Later he fought in the South Pacific as an intelligence officer for the United States Army, and then later, he finally found both freedom and purpose as a landscape architect. At 94 years of age he published a book, Chasing Spring, tracing his incredible life.
His sons, Rick and Andy, and his grandson Brian will miss him with all their hearts.
To all his friends: Thank you for all the support you have given to our father and our entire family for all these many years.
Sending love during this very difficult time…I am so sorry. Hugs.
That same evening my wife Betsy’s mother, Elmyra Nelson, aged 97, passed away at her home in Skagit Valley about an hour north of Seattle. She had given birth to to three other daughters besides Betsy and one son, and had several grandchildren. Betsy completed a drive up there just hours before Elmyra’sk demise at 2:05 am. My son, and Elmyra’s grandson Terray was also present, Terray had just guided Mt. Rainier for the third time and would be guiding that day Mt. Baker for the sixth time this season. Of course that night l, like the preceding ones, was a beautiful evening with a the moon and the two bright planets Saturn and Jupiter. If I were a believer I’d say that Elmira and Ernie’s path to heaven was lit by that great and wondrous moon. Long lives well lived.
So beautiful! Heartfelt ! Made me cry…It was such a spectacular full moon that I was up , restless, and decided to go out and walk under the moon for a few hours. I guess Ernest slid out of this Life on a moonbeam.
I send the Wertheim family Andy Rick and Brian, Lin and Relay and his amazing caregivers my sympathy as you move forward in time with out your parents. I wish you ease and peace. Thank you for allowing us to participate.
Jennifer Absey Bear Creek
Beautiful words and sentiments. Thank you for sharing them and sending love to Andy, Rick and Brian.
Very nice tribute Andy. We heard the news walking the roads of Alpine yesterday. It is tough to lose your father, but take heart that he lived a full life.
Andy
So sorry about the passing of your father. What a wonderful memory of him and I will think of him when I see the wild primrose in Alpine Valley in the late summer and spring. What a wonderful life he lived and wonderful children he raised. Sympathies and love to your family.
What a beautiful eulogy you have written for your father Andy. He sounds like a truly amazing and strong man and lived a full century. I don’t know you or your family but obviously he gave many of his positive attributes and strengths to his sons. Not to mention their great love of nature in the High Sierra. I read your reports and enjoy so much your take on life and Alpine Meadows.
Andy,
I’m very sorry for your loss. I have been enjoying your writing here for many years. This post was one for the ages.
To Andy, Rick and Brian. I’m very sorry for your loss. Ernest left an indelible mark on my life and anyone who got to know him. He connected me to a time and a world that I had only known about from books that I read. And his book, Chasing Spring” gave me an opportunity to get close to circumstances that one can only imagine, let alone live through. Allowing me to interview him as a presentation to the history classes at Truckee High School was an emotional and fulfilling experience. His life was rich beyond measure. And he enriched mine. I only knew Ernest for six years but I learned so much from him. To be part of his circle of friends and help celebrate his “99 1/2“ birthday just a year ago was an honor. And, he was a great teacher. When I was showing frustration because things were not going as planned, just before his presentation at Truckee High, he looked at me with his trademark smile and said, “Michael, it’s okay. There are much worse things in life”. From someone who knew all to well. His long-deserved rest has come.