Schlichter, Ernest (1929-2007 )

Ernest S. "Ernie" Schlichter was born in Minesite (Lower Macungie), Pennsylvania on May 30, 1929, the son of Cora Reese and Jacob Schlichter, a house carpenter. He grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from Allentown High School in 1946, then went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1950. After a stint in the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant during the Korean War he spent the rest of his professional career working for Sylvania (1952-1967), Digital Group Multiplex and Raytheon, settling in Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1967 with his wife Vera (nee Hanke).

Ernie was an enthusiastic mineral collector, and built a large and interesting collection over the years, not only by purchase but by field collecting. It had depth and historical interest as well as quality, and included a well-known Michigan Copper Country suite among many other things. He and John Marshall formed their own specimen recovery company in the late 1960's, which they called the Resurrection Mining Company; they obtained leases on the Wise fluorite mine in New Hampshire and the amethyst occurrence at Bellingham, Massachusetts, and were rewarded with some fine specimens. Ernie also collected excellent specimens at Mont Saint Hilaire and Acushnet, Massachusetts; he traveled widely in the search for specimens, and was a regular at the Tucson, Springfield and Munich Shows, among others. He dealt in minerals on the side (under the company name of "The Show Case"), but not regularly, and sold off most of his collection and dealer stock during the last few years before he died; Rob Lavinsky received some of the last and best pieces to sell for him.

During his off hours Earnie was also an excellent woodworker, and specialized in four-drawer mineral cabinets in a variety of hardwoods, but primarily mahogany and oak. They are well-designed, well-made and operate smoothly.

Ernie was an intelligent, dedicated collector, always friendly and full of gentle good humor. He died on March 16, 2007, after a two-year battle with colon cancer.