Ernest August Hahn

Ernest August Hahn (Ernie) passed away at his home on December 1, 2021. Ernie was the youngest of three children born to Ernest and Myrtle Hahn in Seattle, Washington, on September 23, 1932. Ernie, or Coach Hahn, is survived by his wife, Barbara, two daughters and son-in-law, Cheri and Gary Lyman, and Patti Richards (all of Port Orchard). He had seven grandchildren - Garrett Lyman (Herzliya, Israel), Kelsey Myking (Tacoma), Quincy Lyman (North Ogden, UT), Taylor Lyman (Tacoma), Kailey Martinsen (Maple Valley), Lauren Richards (Spokane Valley), Connor Richards (Port Orchard) and six great grandchildren.

Ernie grew up on Queen Ann Hill in the heart of Seattle. He was initially a city boy who played in the streets or on vacant lots, rode his bicycle everywhere in and around Seattle, and worked before and after school at the drug store across the street from his grade school. As a boy, he truly lived the “Wonderful Life.”

After graduating in 1955 with a degree in education from Central Washington College of Education (now Central Washington University), Ernie and Barb moved to Port Orchard where they put down permanent roots. Ernie began his long, rewarding teaching and coaching career at East Port Orchard and Pleasant Valley Elementary Schools. Later he taught and coached at Marcus Whitman Junior High, Cedar Heights Junior High, and South Kitsap High School.

Football opened the doors of Ernie’s destiny. He fell passionately in love with the sport—and it was when he was playing football at Olympic College that he met another love - Barbara Hand and married her at the ripe old age of twenty. They would have been married for 70 years this summer. Coach Hahn was a legend on and off the field, and though he hung up his cleats and his whistle in 1999, he continued to be a presence on the sidelines until he died.

Football and later wresting were more than just games for Coach Hahn. Through these sports he was able to teach lessons of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goalsetting, and more to players, parents, and fans. He was first a teacher and an extraordinary coach—he taught honor, integrity, and respect—he helped boys become men and readied them for the battles of life. He left a legacy of love—he was truly a legend!

He served his community unselfishly and proudly—as a volunteer firefighter and an active church member singing in the choir and volunteering for Family Kitchen for decades. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather—always loving, supportive, and willing to give you the shirt off of his back—especially red ones. He was best at being a “good neighbor’ and a thoughtful, generous friend! He had a smile, a twinkle and tenderhearted soul with his time, his wisdom, and his tales. He truly was the model of “the arduous we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.” He did what was difficult and impossible—he did it with a smile and joyful heart! We will miss him and his contributions to family, friends, and the community! We mourn, but we are comforted in knowing that he is in the Lord’s embrace and singing enthusiastically in the Heavenly choir.