Obituary of Ernesto Tapia Norte

Ernesto began life as the youngest of three boys in a family of very modest means.  All three were encouraged to do well in school in order to escape the barrio.  Ernesto was awarded a full scholarship based on academic achievements for college.  He graduated from Texas Western College (UTEP) at 19.  All three brothers served their country as military officers. 

Ernesto served in the Air Force for 6 ½ years.  He met and married his loving wife Joanne at Lowry AFB in 1965.  Ernesto achieved a Master in Public Administration from the University of Colorado (believed to be in record time while working full time while at Lowry).   He had a variety of interesting and challenging assignments and remembered them fondly. 

Ernesto and Joanne were blessed with two children, Christina and Ernesto (Neto). 

After Ernesto left the Air Force, he went to work for the federal government including the Intergovernmental Personnel Programs, grants administrator and Associate director in research, program development and management development for federal executives and managers.  He had a distinguished 34-year career and spent another 10 years consulting. 

Ernesto and Joanne enjoyed many years of travel, RVing, their cabin, and cruising.  He enjoyed many hobbies and interests including fishing, art, teaching, woodcarving, bird watching, aquariums, golf, photography, traveling and time spent with family including his three precious grandsons Antonio, Ernesto and Dante. 

Ernesto is survived by his wife of over 58 years, daughter Christina and husband Nick, his grandsons.  Sadly, his beloved son passed earlier in 2023 and is survived by his wife, Lisa. 

Ernesto loved his family and country and will be remembered as a passionate, curious, artistic and wonderful man.  

His service will be at Ft Logan on January 9 at 10:30.