Roxy Edgar Ernsberger

Roxy Edgar Ernsberger, 70, of 119 Washington Street, Newport, Rhode Island, died Friday, February 2, 2007 at Newport Hospital, following an extended illness. He is survived by his wife Claire Humes Ernsberger of Newport, Rhode Island and Milford, Delaware, his mother Margaret Ernsberger of Maryville, Tennessee, his three children Nicole Cook of Atlanta, Georgia, Evan Ernsberger of Norman, Oklahoma, and Alexa Dull of Rhinebeck, New York, his brother Garry Ernsberger of Maryville, Tennessee, and nine grandchildren.Mr. Ernsberger was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 25, 1936, the son of Edgar Ellis and Margaret Ernsberger. He grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated with honors from Davenport High School in 1954. Mr. Ernsberger earned his Electrical Engineering degree from MIT in 1958, and began his engineering career with RCA. Over the years, Mr. Ernsberger worked for United Technologies Corporation, Raytheon Company, and Sundstrand Corporation. He participated in numerous projects for NASA and the Department of Defense, including work on towed arrays and sonar bouys, and on the original design of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Mr. Ernsberger was an avid skier and golfer. He traveled frequently to his second home in Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, and was a member of the Maryville Tennessee Ski Club, the Wanumetonomy Golf Club, and the Newport Yacht Club. Mr. Ernsberger also enjoyed travelling, and in recent years had visited China, the South Pacific, Turkey, Alaska, Europe, and Canada. Mr. Ernsbergers Newport civic activities included terms as Secretary of the Newport Point Association, and Vice President of the Friends of Newport Library. Mr. Ernsberger also volunteered at the Newport Music Festival and Jazz Festival. He was a member of Trinity Church and frequently served as a volunteer guide. There will be a funeral service for Mr. Ernsberger on Tuesday, February 6, at 11:00 am at Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport, Rhode Island. Memorial donations may be made to benefit the restoration of the Van Zandt Street Pier, c/o The Point Association, P.O. Box 491, Newport, Rhode Island, 02840, or to benefit Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport Rhode Island, 02840, 401 846-0660.