Ernest A. Bryant III ’53

A fourth-generation California rancher and superb horseman, Ernie returned to his beloved state as a ranch owner and gentleman farmer following graduation and military service as a Marine officer in Korea. He died March 30, 2013, at his Santa Barbara residence. He was 81.

Ernie prepared at California’s Cate School. At Princeton his senior-year roommates were Brad Glass, Bill Lewis, and Tom Bain. Star hurdler Tom said Ernie’s track strength was in the dashes. Other sports were hockey and rugby. Among his numerous activities were memberships in the Freshman Council, Republican Club, the Class Fund, and the Last Blast Committee.

He caroused with the Right Wing Club, which was not a political organization but a partying group headed by Mike Donohue. He belonged to Ivy, and club president John Spencer recalled the good times they had there and at San Francisco’s Bohemian Club, where the two were members.

Ernie was a 46-year trustee of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, founded by his grandmother, Susanna Bryant, and a 39-year director of Good Hope Medical Foundation, established by his grandfather, Dr. Ernest Bryant.

Surviving are his wife, the former Gloria “Gay” White; children Sarah, Stephen, Matthew, Peter, and John; stepdaughter Rebecca Brant; sisters Judith Friend and Martha Bonzi; and six grandchildren.