Ernest Arnold YouHouse Sr., 93, of Saugerties

Ernest Arnold Youhouse Sr., born in Fairfield, Conn., on March 5, 1924, died on June 4, 2017. He later retired to Charlotte, N.C., and attended the University of Southern Missouri (in part because of a coincidental meeting with Harry Truman at a whistle stop in Fairfield, Conn. He attended because Missouri was Truman’s home state and the president facilitated Ernie’s entrance on the GI Bill), University of Bridgeport, and Yale University. He taught History in Connecticut and North Carolina until he was 90 years old. His first position was superintendent of schools in Blackburn, Mo., where, in 1951, he was a pioneer in school integration.

During World War II, Ernest was a member of Darby’s Rangers. He was wounded and captured at Anzio Beach. He was sent to Stalag 344 near Lansdorf, Germany, and was a prisoner of war for 542 days. On his third attempt, he escaped and eight days later he reached English Allied forces and was repatriated. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. Despite losing part of his lung from his war injuries, he ran five miles every day into his late seventies.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Marie Youhouse of Charlotte, N.C. He was predeceased by his daughter, Cynthia Youhouse Rubin, formerly of Kent, Conn. He is also survived by three other children, Claudia Andreassen of Saugerties, N.Y., Cecelia Sciortino of Newton, Conn., and Ernest Youhouse II of Monroe, N.C., and their respective spouses: Paul Andreassen and Jessica Youhouse. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Crispin Kott, Morgan Almquist, Ernest Youhouse III, Iva Terry, Amanda Andreassen Rueby, William Youhouse, Natalie Sciortino, and Nicholas Youhouse; and four great-granddaughters, Madeline Kott, Harper Almquist, Marguerite Kott and Harlow Rueby.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

His epitaph: “Teachers encourage minds to think, hands to create, and hearts to love.”

Donations in his memory may be sent to DAV (Disabled American Veterans), 807 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024, (202) 554-3501.