Ernest "Ernie" Blackburn
January 26, 1951 - January 10, 2013

"Ernie built a custom 45 ACP (EB29) for me many years ago. I still have it and it has been a great target pistol. I am sorry to learn of his passing. Sixty one is too young. "

"We had one more traumatic experience with Ernie. Like I mentioned, we were close with a very sound coach/athlete relationship. Ernie traveled with our family to Hibbing, MN. On the way home, in a blinding snowstorm, with me driving, we hit a highway plow. Ernie saw it happening in the last second, stuck his arm up in front of our daughter who was sitting in the middle of the front seat, and probably saved her life. Ernie was banged up and sore but still played in a hockey game for the Lumberjacks the next day or so. I will always treasure the relationship I had with the Blackburn family; a special family with an old-fashioned value system. RIP, Ernie"

"We were close to Ernie and his parents during his high school years. He was one of our first hockey players to go on and play. My fond memory of Ernie goes like this: We were playing Thief River Falls in Thief River Falls. The umpire was local and notorious for his animosity towards Bemidji. He was an ump in Baseball and a Hockey referee. Anyway, our rule of thumb was "never criticize an umpire; it can only hurt the team". I believe it was Tom Hill pitching but could be wrong. Don't even remember the year. He threw two pitches that were called "balls". Ernie was in his catching position and yelled over to me, "Coach; you told us to never say anything to an umpire, so all I'm telling you is those last two pitches were waist high and right on the middle of the plate." Ernie made sure it was loud enough so everyone in the Ballpark could hear what he said. Needless to say, the Umpire got his act together and started calling them right. Ernie, along with Tom Reise. Ralph Lovering, Mike Langley and others were the "kid" Pioneers for High School Hockey. I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of them. I struggle with all this @ times because I have not been around to re-connect over the years but I can guarantee the Love I have for our high school athletes has never changed. They are the reason we've been able to enjoy the life we have. Ernie is for sure one of those. I did see him @ one point over the years and we were able to visit, but not enough. Thoughts and prayers fm our family to yours. Chuck and Clairene Grillo "

"My mom, Judie Pavlovic, first met Debbie Blackburn about 30 years ago when they both volunteered for a raptor rehabilitation program. Some of the recovering raptors were housed at my parents' place, near Stoughton. Thus, my parents also met Ernie. As he got to know us, Ernie would often stop by my parents' place, which is between the Blackburn place and the DNR hunting grounds where he ran his dogs. Whenever Ernie stopped by, I'd go out with my dad to see him and his dogs. Ernie and I shared a love of dogs and the outdoors, and I had also grown rather fond of him. My dad, Armin Pavlovic, discovered that, like himself (and myself), Ernie was a mechanical engineer. Although Ernie had his own business, he eventually went to work part-time with my dad at Safety Engineering Associates. Ernie was his own person, who lived life to the fullest. He was kind and funny and down to earth, a friend who always had your back. A big man with a big heart and a gentle voice, he always had a smile and a story to share. I miss him already. Here are some of my dad Armin Pavlovic's memories of Ernie (with my comments in parentheses): Ernie, a mechanical engineer, was at home in an engineering firm, on a farm, in a sawmill, a machine shop, or the business he had built and operated. He was a master craftsman with wood and metal and had built the gun he used to win the state pistol championship numerous times. He built many complex devices for our employer, Safety Engineering Associates, all of which functioned well and were fine examples of Blackburn craftsmanship. Ernie and I traveled the country measuring accident vehicles and sites. During these trips he proudly told me of the accomplishments of Kimberly and Rebecca and the projects he and Debbie were doing. Once in the deep south he pulled over to cut some sugar cane for the girls. He got them a pottery coyote in McAllen, Texas. A family man for sure. On a business trip to Bemidji he took his mother to lunch and a short ride in the company airplane, which she talked about for years. One of our clients, a lawyer, learned that Ernie also had Gordon Setters (hunting dogs). He asked if Ernie used a shock collar to train them. Ernie said no, he didn't have to train them, his older dogs trained the young ones, who were eager to learn from them. He indicated that he and the dogs all knew their jobs and just did them because they wanted to without being shocked. I think Ernie opened a whole new way of thinking for this man. After a job in Minnesota, Ernie and I took the weekend to build a deck on my daughter Jennifer's house in Afton. Looking at the size of the project and the time available, Ernie, a man of action, said: "We won't discuss this job. We'll just put up wood." And so we did. It got done. (The three of us, mostly my dad and Ernie, built a 26 by 30 foot deck over my garage in less than 2½ days! They got me out of a bind after a contractor had left a job unfinished.) At an airport in NW Wisconsin I happened upon the Piper Cub Ernie and his Dad had once restored (the yellow plane in the Caring Bridge photo). Ernie wanted to get it back and agreed to help me build an addition on my house if I'd put up the cash. I held no lien on the airplane; if Ernie gave you his word, you could count on it. As we later built the addition, I learned that he was an excellent carpenter and cabinet maker. Now when I awaken and look at the beautiful trim work, I will remember my friend. (And I will always have fond memories of Ernie when I am out on my deck.) "

"Our family will always remember Ernie flying his yellow plane over our house then landing in his hay field. Our thoughts are with the Blackburns and Morgans."

"Great hockey memories at Cameron Park in the good old days with Ernie. What an anchor for the Lumberjacks team. He will be missed by many friends near and far. "

"We will all miss Uncle Ernie, especially the sound of his laughter. I will always remember him leaning against the wall, entertaining us with his stories. Love you all."

"He was always there to lend a hand, no questions asked. What a wonderful neighbor and friend. We dearly loved him."

"Judy, Deborah and families, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ernie and Judy were the first kids in town to have their own skating rink! Very cool! Too, I think you modeled to us "little kids" the fun of involvment in school activities! Anita, my sister, sends her thougths and prayers, too."

"Ernie you will be missed more than words can say. You will be thought of often and spoken of fondly. Love and miss you!"