Bernard Erwin Teuber

B. Erwin Teuber1942-2023B. Erwin Teuber, a man of integrity, kindness, and a deep commitment to service and helping the mostvulnerable in our society, passed away on May 28. Ern, as he was known to family and friends, grew upin tiny Rockville, MN with his hard-working parents and three siblings...a happy childhood with friendsand siblings, enjoying, sports, and adventures exploring the nearby woods and river. Early lessons ofhard work and perseverance were formative, as his parents powered through often difficult times inproviding for their family with their general store and grain storage businesses...and hard-working youngErn learning life lessons on his newspaper route.In addition to academics, Ern had a wide range of interests in high school, playing trumpet in the highschool concert, marching, and pep bands, basketball, track and field, and serving as President of theStudent Council. He made an easy transition to nearby St Cloud State College, graduating in 1964.Familiar with rural poverty growing up, Ern had a life-long interest addressing inequality and socialjustice, reinforced by his working with the marginalized populations in the inner city of Columbus, OH, asDirector of Economic Development and Employment for the Urban League of Ohio, while earning MAand Ph.D. degrees in Sociology at Ohio State University.After a year of teaching at Miami of Ohio University, Ern confronted the great inequalities in access tohealthcare from a policy level as Director of Health Planning for the Ohio Department of Health. Thiscommitment to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities took Ern to Nampa, Idaho,in 1986 as Administrator of Community Health Clinics, Inc. (later named Terry Reilly Health Services), anon-profit providing primary care to all, especially underserved populations. After a brief (9 month!!)retirement, Ern's commitment to service still burned bright, and he served as Executive Director of theOregon Health Services University Primary Care Clinic, Richmond, in Portland, with a mission of serving asimilar population in a more urban setting.In each work setting, Ern brought a rare combination of deep commitment to the underserved, thehighest ethical standards, with vision, optimism, and tenacity... uniquely paired with his organizationalleadership, management, and people skills that could lead and inspire others to accomplish great thingsin working together.He was a creative problem solver, and often the catalyst in bringing innovative ideas to better servepatients and the community, as in his idea to combat the lack of public transportation as a barrier topatients getting to clinics, hospitals, and health department services, by deploying underutilized HeadStart buses as an initial solution...growing into what is today, 32 years later, a 10 county transportationsystem.Ern brought the same values of integrity, kindness, and service to his friendships...always generous,dependable, quick to offer help moving, or whatever was asked or needed. When dear friend, TRHSMedical Director and bike rider Bob Lebow passed away, Ern (also a bike rider) scouted the picturesquerural routes connecting TRHS clinics, designed the course for fun riders and century riders, and createdthe annual Bob Lebow Bike Tour, in Bob's honor...enthusiastically supported by bike riders and thecommunity, with proceeds going to the Zero Pay Fund for low-income patients. Ern was not only builder of community programs, he greatly enjoyed taking on building/renovationprojects at home. From building a new garage, to serious renovation of a barn and farmhouse, noproject was too big, as he was confident that they "could figure anything out" that might arise in theprocess...a lesson for both renovation-helper sons in their early years. Work wood was another passionfor Ern, culminating with his dream wood working shop, "Ern's wood chapel" in his backyard.With each move, Ern and Kate quickly made every house a lovely home of warmth, welcome, and goodcheer...every garden colorful and bountiful...every gathering of friends a fun, memorable occasion, withErn's seasonal grilling skills often displayed, complemented by the loving presence of family dogs andcats circulating among the guests, creating joyful memories for all.Ern was a fun-loving guy, and friends will fondly remember many restaurant and brew pub excursionstogether over the years, as well as: century bike rides in Ohio; the Melba 4 th of July parade; countlesscountry/mountain road motorcycle adventures (including a ride to Sturgis); bicycle trail rides andAirstream camping on Lake Coeur d' Alene; beach house gatherings on the Oregon Coast; a villa in Italy;a cruise to Alaska; and so many more special moments.As health challenges emerged, Ern retired in 2016. Retirement v.2 meant daily ebike rides and coffeewith friends; working wood in "Ern's wood chapel" with his lovely 4-legged assistant, Bella; readingbooks that met his life-long-learning criteria, like "Caste"; another go at learning to play the piano; andkeeping up with friends near and far.After a full life of service, love, and friendship, a confluence of health issues ended Ern's life on May 28,2023. As a good friend put it, Ern was "a force for good" ...with the lives of thousands who did not knowErn, touched by that goodness, and those who knew him best, touched by our memories of thatgoodness.Ern is survived by wife Kate; son Aron (Ann), granddaughter Thi; and son Jed (Noelle), grandsons Trumanand Bowen; siblings John, Louise, and Kathie; and special dog buddy Bella.A Celebration of Ern's Life will be held at the home of Ern and Kate on July 1.

Bernard Erwin Teuber

August 20, 1942 - May 29, 2023