Ernst H. Blumenthal

Ernst H. Blumenthal III (Ernie), age 67, died peacefully at his Placitas home on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Ernie was renown for his meticulous restoration of vintage cars, from Crown Victorias to muscle cars. His restorations were all the more remarkable because he was paralyzed in a car accident at age 21 and did all the work from his wheelchair.

Ernie loved cars, cats (especially his beloved Dusty), and the Jemez mountains—not necessarily in that order—but above all, his adoring and steadfast wife of 40 years, Cynthia. Ernie—known to his family by his childhood nickname, Chipper—was born in Albuquerque and graduated from Highland High School. After graduation he worked construction, and just before his accident, was accepted as an apprentice carpenter by the Carpenter’s Union.

There was nothing Ernie liked better than prowling the Jemez mountains in summer in his beloved Ford dually hunting mushrooms, and he had a preternatural ability to spot them from seemingly impossible distances.

Even as his health failed, Ernie oversaw his final restoration project: His family’s 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon. He was a mentor to his nephew, Aaron Dixon, who along with Ernie’s trusted assistant, Steve Lare, will oversee completion of that last project and will name it “Cat Mesa” in honor of Ernie’s favorite place in the Jemez Mountains.

In his final months, Ernie was cared for with heroic devotion, patience, strength and love by his devoted wife, Cynthia. Theirs was a love story for the ages and an inspiration to all who knew them. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Cynthia; nephews, Aaron Dixon and Soren Gaiser; niece, Aedriel Moxley; and sister, Susan Blumenthal.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020, 3:00 p.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming. Friends and family are invited to attend, masks are required, and social distancing will be practiced.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:  Casa Angelica, at 5629 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM  87105

The Service will be live-streamed and available for viewing by clicking here: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/39935