Dr. Ernest J. Bahnsen age 89 of Clifford Lake Stanton MI died at home on Monday December 5 2005. He was born in Fremont Ohio on March 29 1916 the son of Rudy and Frieda Lorenzen Bahnsen.
He was a graduate of Ross High School Fremont OH with the class of 1933, Graduate of Ohio StateUniversity in 1937 and enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1941 and served in WW II in the Caribbean and Pacific Theaters as a bomber pilot . He was discharged with the rank of Captain from the Headquarters Army Air Forces in Washington DC on Oct 30,1945. He married Marie “Becky” Beckman in Pt. Clinton Ohio on June 15 1946. He then attended and graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1953 and began his practice of Optometry in Belding MI . In 1961 he began teaching at Ferris State University where he was instrumental in developing the Ferris Optical Technology Program. He later became the education director for the National Academy of Optometry while continuing his association with Ferris. After retirement he and Becky spent time at their homes in Las Vegas NV and Clifford Lake MI.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Becky , their sons Robert and Libby of Rives Junction MI and Rudolph and Beth of Zeeland MI , 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild and his sister in law Esther Dockary and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Melba R. Fligor in 2000.
A visitation will be held on Thursday December 8, 2005 fro 1 to 3 PM at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville. A burial will take place in Little Denmark Cemetery Gowen in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be given to Michigan College of Optometry,
1310 Cramer Circle, PEN 402, Big Rapids, MI 49307
