Ernest 'Ernie' Richard Breitenbach

Ernie Breitenbach, of Grand Prairie, Texas lost his struggle with cancer and passed away Thursday evening, March 28, 2024. The son of Herman and Julia Marie Breitenbach, he was born on February 1, 1945 in Long Island, New York. The 5th child of a boisterous first generation German immigrant family, Ernie was raised in Aquebogue, New York on Long Island and attended River Head High School. With an eye for adventure and seeing the world, he enlisted in the Marines at 18 years of age and elected the Marine duty station located in a far away place called Grand Prairie, Texas. Shortly after arriving he met the most beautiful woman in the world, his future wife and the absolute love of his life, Susan Wilson at the military club on base. During the 15 months he was in Grand Prairie he courted Susan non-stop and visited her family many times. He knew she was the one but she had to meet his family first. So in March 1965 in an old Plymouth they drove back to New York together for Susan to meet the rest of the Breitenbach family. She of course loved the rowdy Breitenbachs and they adored the beautiful and witty southern belle. They were engaged in Riverhead, New York during the same trip. Ernie was then deployed to Vietnam for 13 months and Susan took a bus back to Grand Prairie to await his return. Ernie said she wrote every day and some letters were as long as 16 pages! With God’s blessing Ernie survived Vietnam and returned to his fiancée Susan, they happily married a few months later on July 30, 1966 in a Methodist Church in Oak Cliff when Ernie was 21 years old. They then had a second wedding in New York at Ernie’s Dad’s insistence on a big German Lutheran wedding and celebration. The celebration reportedly included good beer, lots of banging on plates, excellent music, and lively dancing. Sounds like many of the Breitenbach gatherings that were to come in their future marriage together! Ernie still had 6 months left of active duty so the two moved to Beauford, South Carolina briefly until the end of Ernie’s military duty in 1967. Susan then won the great debate of where to live, and they moved back to Grand Prairie to be near her family.

Susan and Ernie were married an incredibly loving 52 years that only paused when Susan passed away in 2018. Ernie has always said he is rejoining her as soon as possible. Ernie and Susan raised two boys, and were active members of Faith Lutheran church in Grand Prairie.

Ernie touched many lives throughout his life. From those he worked with during his 40+ year career as a quality engineer locally with Triumph Group’s aircraft industries division (known by many as Vought or LTV or Northrop Grumman), to his spiritual growth with church family and his involvement in the community. Ernie valued his relationships with co-workers and friends. He had a compassionate heart and enjoyed engaging with people, always thinking of them and making time to catch up.

Ernie Breitenbach was a force of nature with a keen intelligence, a deep-rooted moral compass, the unending drive to work hard to provide for his family, the somewhat annoying need to never spend any extra money if unnecessary, an incredible smile with an infectious laugh that drew others to him in crowds, and a love of fast cars and motorcycles. Ernie was someone who gained energy by being around others, the interactions literally lifted and restored his spirit and even his health. After Susan’s passing you can imagine the devastation in Ernie’s world and the loss of that zest for life. God in his unending compassion sent Ernie a group of steadfast, warm-hearted, wonderfully supportive friends with a like-minded love of family, fast cars and motorcycles that continually lifted Ernie’s spirits and provided that vital reconnection to life and the celebration of it. The family wishes to thank that group of friends for all that they did to support Ernie during these last six years. He spoke non-stop of his motorcycle friends (which he truly considered part of his family), the adventures, and how much Susan would have wanted to join in the fun.

Ernie is survived by his oldest son Kevin Breitenbach and his wife Stacy of Grand Prairie, their two adult children Colton and his wife Natalie of Houston, and Natalie Ann of Grand Prairie; and by his youngest son Shawn Breitenbach and his wife Heather of Houston.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 4-8pm and services will be Friday, April 19, 2024, beginning at 12pm at Bean Massey Burge Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, Texas. Services will be officiated by Pastor Tim Perkins.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the Make A Wish Foundation in Ernie's memory.