Obituary of Dan W. Ernst

Dan Ernst passed away unexpectedly on February 12 at the age of 67.  He was raised in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, the son of Alfred (Al) and Ruth Ernst.  After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Dan moved to Tulsa to attend the University of Tulsa College of Law where he obtained his law degree.  After graduation, Dan purchased a condominium in River Woods South where he had the good fortune to meet a friendly, outgoing neighbor, Deborah Hughes, whom he married in 1983.  A brilliant and conscientious lawyer, Dan retired in 2020 after a distinguished career practicing insurance defense law, most recently with Best & Sharp.  Dan was an avid runner, and his knowledge of World War II history and sports trivia was legendary.

Dan is survived by his wife Deborah, their Samoyed, Utah, Dan’s sister, Janet McNulty, his niece Shannon Landin, nephew Sean McNulty, three grandnieces and one grandnephew. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Ninde Brookside Chapel, 3841 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tulsa Chapter of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs: P.O. Box 20227, Cheyenne WY 82003.    www.therapydogs.com/donate.