James W. "Jim" Ernst

James (Jim) W. Ernst, age 86, passed away peacefully July 16, 2024, in Alexandria, VA after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was a long-time resident of Shady Side, MD. Jim was born April 26, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Vincent and Bessie Ernst. He is survived by his life partner and wife, Linnea (Linn) Poulsen of Alexandria and daughter, Maria Kristin (Kris) Ernst, and her spouse Sherry Broyles of Decatur, GA, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Robert (Bob) Ernst, and his first wife, Dr. Katherine (Kay) Ward.

Jim graduated from Immaculate Conception, a small close-knit parochial school in 1956 and from Loras College in Dubuque, IA, in 1960, where he majored in philosophy and math. He then spent two years in Rome, where he studied theology in preparation for the priesthood. In 1962, he decided not to continue with ordination to the priesthood and returned to Cedar Rapids, where he taught school for a year.

He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1963 and served five years active duty. He was initially in naval flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Corpus Christi, TX, which was interrupted due to a car accident. He then transferred to naval intelligence at Cecil Field, FL, where he served from 1965 to 1969, including an 8-month tour on the USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.

At the end of his active duty commitment, he began work at the CIA’s National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) in April 1969 as an imagery analyst where he worked until retiring in 1994. He also continued in the naval reserve, retiring as a Commander in 1993. 

Throughout their many years together, Jim and Linn enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake Bay, as well as sailing trips north to Maine and south to Key West and the Bahamas. They also spent several months boating down the Mississippi River and later, the Erie Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway to Montreal. Jim enjoyed working on boats and built his own wooden dinghy. He was also an avid runner, participating in several Marine Corp marathons.

Jim loved spending time with Linn, Kris, and extended family - including many trips during the summer or holidays to visit relatives in NH, Iowa, and Georgia, as well as hosting visits, often involving boating. He and Linn enjoyed traveling with family members – trips to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, holiday trips to Europe, weddings in Colorado and California, and cruises in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Scandinavia. And more recently, regular family visits to St. Thomas, USVI, and Puerto Rico.

Jim’s kindness, warmth, and quiet humor made him beloved by all who met him. He enjoyed just hanging out and sharing stories and making witty comments. His favorite likes included going to Murphy’s in Alexandria, playing golf with his buddies, any kind of pizza, Maryland crabs, Arnie Palmer iced tea, twizzlers, ginger snaps, and a little Strega.

Memorial services for Jim will be held in Alexandria, VA, and Littleton, NH, dates to be determined later. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573, 888- 557-7177, https://givenow.lls.org.