Ernest Walter (Ernie) Post passed away at home In Brush, Colorado on January 26th, 2017. Ernie was born to Karl and Anna Post on December 7, 1956 in Los Angeles, California. He was the youngest of four brothers. The Post family were Donauschwaben Germans living in Yugoslavia. They were forced to flee Yugoslavia for Austria to escape ethnic cleansing. When Anna was pregnant with Ernie, the family came to the United States under the sponsorship of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

Ernie was preceded in death by his Mother and Father and his Brother Eduard (Ed) Post. He is survived by his wife Evelyn (Evey) Post of Brush, CO; his Brother Frank Post, wife Margarita, of Reseda CA; his Brother Peter Post, Wife Nanette, of Fishersville, VA and Marlene Post, Ed's wife, of Garden Grove, CA. He also had a great many nieces and nephews whom he adored.

He attended Los Angeles Trade Tech Institute where he earned a culinary degree and began his long career as a Chef. He loved to cook and loved the camaraderie of kitchen life. He worked in restaurants and resorts in California, Texas, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Early in his career he won numerous medals for culinary competitions in California. In 2009, he and Evey were the winning team at the Steel Chef Competition for the Taste of Fort Collins. It was a proud moment for him.

Ernie met Evey in 1996 at Zion National Park, where they were both working in the kitchen at the lodge. They hit it off right away and after spending a season working at Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City, Utah they moved to Colorado and got married. He shared with Evey a deep and abiding love for the outdoors. They would often go camping, fishing and hunting together. He loved to share his knowledge of fishing and happily mentored many newcomers to the sport. In 2015 they bought a beat up old R.V. and with his beloved dog Holly and their two cats, left their Fort Collins home to spend the summer camping and fishing in the Rocky Mountains, often joined by their friends. It was a magical time for him.

Being from Los Angeles, Ernie was a die-hard Raiders fan. He often took ribbing for it, living in Colorado, but took it with typical good nature. He was so excited to see his team having a winning season in 2016, and was heart-broken when injuries took them out of the play-offs. He was a faithful fan until the end.

Ernie loved people and it showed. He loved to tell a story and he always had a rapt audience, whether it was the one about catching a 30 pound catfish on Ultra-light tackle, or the one where, as a young boy, he chose a potato as a treat from the neighborhood produce truck, or any of the other many adventures that he had.

Though he had some health problems, his passing was sudden, and left many friends and loved-ones in shock. He was a truly wonderful human being and will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M at the Carroll Building, 418 Edison St., Brush, CO.