Ernest S. Tierkel - Personal Life

Personal Life

In between all of this passionate pursuit of science, Tierkel found time for other passions, most notably the love of his life Ruby Reams Tierkel. Tierkel met Ruby at the officer’s club at Ft. McPherson in Atlanta, where they were both living. Tierkel asked Ruby if he might call on her for dinner some time and she said, “of course”. Tierkel called one Sunday afternoon and asked Ruby out for dinner that night with Ruby replying, “Are you kidding? Tonight? The next time you call, please have the courtesy to plan ahead!”. Not to be deterred, Tierkel, who was off to Europe for a WHO meeting the next day, sent Ruby a telegram from Geneva, asking if she might select a suitable evening that she was free for them to have dinner. Having been smitten, Tierkel continued to pursue Ruby, which culminated in their being married on July 13, 1958.

The world-traveling bachelor now entered a new phase of his love of life – family man. Tierkel treasured becoming a father to his new stepson, Mike Steele, Ruby’s son from a previous marriage. Soon Ernest Tierkel and Ruby had another son, whom they named after Tierkel’s father, David Baer Tierkel. The family was tight-knit and inherited many of values that their parents brought to them. Mike went on to attend the Citadel and followed a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant General. Mike and his wife Pam and their two children Lara and Cari were a bright light in Tierkel’s life. He treasured the time that he was able to spend with his grandchildren. David went on to Boston University and followed a career in software technology as an entrepreneur helping to found several successful companies. David’s wife Alison and children Chaya and Ezekiel continue to talk about their grandfather and his strong sense of life.

One of the great foundations that his parents gave to Tierkel was his love of life, which combined with his intellectual upbringing spurred his interest in public health. Tierkel’s entire career and life was dedicated to making the world a better place in which people could live and realize their dreams.