Ernst Dannemann, 88 DOVER - Ernst (Ernie) Dannemann, age 88, died peacefully at home in Dover, on Sunday, June 27, 2010, surrounded by his family. Ernie was born in Stettin, Germany, in 1921 to George and Gertrude Dannemann. He was sent to the United States in 1937 at the age of 15 to finish high school so at least one family member would survive the Holocaust. His parents and sister then fled Nazi Germany shortly before the start of World War II. In 1941 Ernst enlisted in the United States army immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was stationed in England with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Subsequent to his military discharge he worked for the American Joint Distribution Committee (AJDC) providing care to Displaced Persons in Frankfurt, Straubing, and finally Munich, Germany where he assumed control of supplies and transportation. A little over a year later, while returning to attend his sister's wedding, he met his future wife, Terry, on a ship carrying Displaced Persons from Europe to the USA. After finishing his work with the AJDC, he and his wife Terry settled in Dover, Delaware where they opened additional Dannemann Fabric locations which eventually expanded from New York State to Northern Virginia and numbered fourteen stores. Ernie was the epitome of a dedicated volunteer and a proud citizen of the United States. He became a trailblazer in the Civil Rights Movement starting in the 1950's and worked valiantly to eradicate discrimination against any group of people. He was appointed by Governor Terry to serve as the first chair of the Delaware First State Human Relations Commission. He served as President and Chairman of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce and also served on the boards of the Medical Center of Delaware, and The Jewish Federation of Delaware Endowment Fund and Investment Committee. He founded the Dover Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was also appointed to the Council on Family Services and the Coordinating Committee for the Study of Education by Governor Peterson. He served as a trustee and then chairman for twelve years of the State Pension Board from 1974 until 1990. He served on the editorial board of The Delaware State News. In 1993, Governor Carper appointed Ernie to serve on the University of Delaware board of Trustees on which he served until 2003. In 2003, Senator Carper appointed Ernie to the United States Senate National Parks Committee. He was active in Dover Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Ernie founded DelaCare in 1990, a private non profit independent State Healthcare Reform Organization. His task force report in 1995 provided a road map to bringing healthcare costs under control and reforming the delivery of health care. Ernie along with his wife Terry, were staunch supporters of the State of Israel and visited there often. Ernie's great joy and relaxation was listening to and attending performances of classical music and opera, watching the Lehrer NewsHour, reading newspapers, and discussing current events. Ernie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years Terry who died in 2007. He is survived by his sister, Hanna Schweizer; daughters, Gene Danneman (Steve Gonzer) and Gail Tolpin (Eugene); former son-in-law, Jay Danneman; five grandchildren, George Danneman (Lauren), Jeremy Danneman, Ben Tolpin, Daniel Tolpin (Laura), and Leba Kaufmann (Jonathan); and five great-grandchildren, Elimelech, Michael, Jonah, and Miriam Danneman, and Jared Tolpin. In his final years, Ernst was cared for in his home by an exceptional and loving staff. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Schoenberg Memorial Chapel, 519 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington. Shiva will be observed Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., at the Tolpin residence in Wilmington, Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Dover at the residence of the late Ernst Dannemann, and Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the residence of Gene Danneman. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 1811 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Schoenberg Memorial Chapel.