Carroll Walter Ernst, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Born in St. Louis, MO, his family moved to Hampton when he was a child. He was in the first graduating class of Kecoughtan High School and went on to attend Christopher Newport College before becoming a Certified Dental Technician.  In 1987, Carroll and his wife, Robin, opened Ernst Dental Lab (which they owned for 23 years) in Poquoson where they built dental crowns, bridgework, and implants.  Carroll loved woodworking and could often be found in his workshop.  When he was not dreaming of the furniture he could build, he could be found studying early American history.  In his younger years, Carroll often traveled to the Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields with his daughter, Rebecca, to learn even more about the country he loved.  He was also a train afficionado who loved to watch and learn about how trains were built from their origin to the current day.  Although Carroll was never able to physically serve the country he loved so much, he was a strong supporter of those who serve both at home and overseas.

Preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and Charles M. Ernst, Sr., and his brother, Charles M. Ernst, Jr.; survivors include his wife of 42 years, Robin Ernst; his daughter, Rebecca Ernst; his godmother, Leoney Orie; several nieces and a nephew.

The family will greet friends at 1pm followed by a memorial service at 2pm on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel, 245 S Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23669.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation by clicking HERE or the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews by clicking HERE.