Ernest Houseman, Jr.

Houseman, Ernest “Ernie” Ogg Jr. passed away peacefully on December 4, 2020. Ernie was born in Brunswick, GA on December 4, 1926 to Ernest Ogg Houseman and Elizabeth Taylor Houseman. He received a BSEE degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1949 and a MSEE degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1955. He served in the US Navy during World War II from 1944-1946, spending part of that time as a Machinist Mate 3rd class on the USS Alabama. He also served in the US Army Artillery as a First Lieutenant from 1950-1954. He was a member of the Third Infantry Division and took part in the first six campaigns of the Korean War.

His service in the US Army took him to Fort Benning GA, Fort Sill OK, Fort Bliss Texas, Camp Stewart GA, and Fort Story VA, where he was discharged. While stationed in Ft. Benning, he met his future wife, Blanche Elizabeth (Betty) Spain. They were married in 1953 and had two children, Elizabeth “Betsy” Houseman and William “Will” Spain.

Upon graduation from Georgia Tech Ernie was employed by Melpar, Inc., an electronics firm in Falls Church, VA, from 1955-1959. Here he began his work in the field of microwaves and antennas. In 1959 he moved to Orlando where he was employed by The Martin Company, now Lockheed Martin Corporation. He retired as a Senior Staff Engineer in 1989.

While employed by the Martin Company he became the founding chairman of the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) Orlando chapter of the Professional Group on Microwave Theory and Techniques (PGMTT). Additionally, he was the first Chairman of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Orlando section.

Ernie was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time on the boat and fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church for 25 years and a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke for over 30 years. He was a past President of the Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati and a member of the Society at Colonial Wars in the state of Georgia. Ernie was a member of the University Club of Winter Park, the Country Club of Orlando, the Orlando Power Squadron, and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was a Life Senior Member of the IEEE. An avid reader, he was a member of the Second Tuesday Group, a reading group in Mount Dora, for 25 years and moderated the annual poetry session. He was also a member of the Mount Dora Yacht Club and the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Association.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Blanche Elizabeth “Betty” Spain, his son William “Will” Spain Houseman, and brother William Berrien Houseman. He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Houseman Fester (Jeff Fester); granddaughter Carolyn Elizabeth Kimbro (Tyler Kimbro) and Thompson “Tommy” Taylor Fester; great grandsons Luke Harvey Kimbro and Blake Ernest Kimbro.

A graveside service will take place on December 11 at 11:00 at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick, GA. A memorial service will be held on January 2, 2021 at 11:00 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.