Robert Ernest Wells, Jr
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Robert Ernest Wells, Jr “Ernie”
February 3, 1950 – February 18, 2025
Ernie was born in Kansas City, Kansas, to Robert Ernest Wells Sr. and Helen Mildred Kolich Wells. At the age of 10, his family moved to Bakersfield, California, where Ernie spent the ensuing years until moving back to Shawnee, Kansas in late 2023. Ernie passed away from complications of a previous illness.
He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help grade school, Garces Memorial High School (Class of 1968), and graduated from San Diego State University in 1973. Upon graduation, he went to work for WA Thompson, Inc. and retired after more than 35 years. Some of his favorite memories were made while working for William A. Thompson and Ray Trichel at WA Thompson, and Bob Green at Pizzaville USA after high school and during breaks from college. His years with both yielded unprecedented friendships that lasted his lifetime and continue on through his children.
Ernie was a member of the Kern County Rugby Football Club, playing for many years, eventually as an “Old Timer.” He was inducted into the Kern County Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame in 2022.
A faithful Knight until his passing, Ernie was a member of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus, Council 11545, where he served a number of years as the Financial Secretary. In 2001, he received the title Worthy Sir Knight and honor of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus with the Central District of California.
Ernie is preceded in death by his parents and only sibling, Susan Stephens. He is survived by his wife Susan (Solomon), sons Jacob (Leah), Zachary (Brooke), Robby, and daughter Jennifer Massie (David). He leaves ten grandchildren to cherish his memory.
The family would like to acknowledge George Sill, Richard Widhalm, Al Araujo, Michael Solomon, and Cindy Duncan Lynch for their unfailing friendships that meant so much to Ernie. The family would also like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Chaplin and medical staff at Overland Park Regional Medical Center for their stellar care and compassion.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Church on Strawberry Hill, in Kansas City, Kansas at 10:30AM. Visitation, followed by the Holy Rosary, will begin at 9:00AM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church in Bakersfield, California at 10:00AM, with interment to follow at Union Cemetery. Family and friends will then gather at Wool Growers Restaurant to raise a glass and share a memory of our beloved Ernie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus Council 11545 or the Kern County Rugby Football Club.
To Susan,
My long time friend, all the best to you and your family.
Ernie Wells will remain in my memory forever!
Susan and Family,
I can remember that apartment on Q Street back in the day and of course all the Rugby Games, Socials (that’s what we call them now) and especially Santa Barbara Tournament on the Campus of SB with bad beer and lots of fun. Kern County Rugby was my family (since i don’t have family in Bako) and is still family today.
My thoughts and prayers our with you and your family at this difficult time. May Ernie Rest in Peace with all his Kern County Brothers in heaven.
I love you so much Dad. Thank you for instilling in me your hard work ethic and love and friendships I’ve made along the way. I’ll miss you and I look forward to seeing you again someday. I love you.
Susan and family, My thoughts and prayers go to you during this difficult time. Ernie was a special person in my life with whom I have many fond memories. He was kind and generous with his friendship and I made many friends through the time spent with him. I will miss him, but cherish the memories I have. My sincere condolences and peace for your family. Greta Perttula-Pretzer
Dad, I’m going to miss you so much. I have so many fond memories with you. Your top notch cooking, the summer camping trips, being a listening ear when I needed it most. Your bear hugs and spending the weekends with you growing up. I always looked forward to seeing you. I’m thankful I had that one last time back in November to spend some time with you in Kansas. Getting those pictures and video that I will cherish for life. May this not be good bye but rather see you later. See you in heaven. Until then have a grand time up there with grandma and grandpa and all your other loved ones and friends. Love you Dad 😘
Sending our condolences for the family of my Uncle Ernie. We know you will miss him greatly.
Grandpa Ernie,
I loved coming over to your house on Christmas Day with my 3 brothers. You were the tallest man I’ve ever met, which meant I was always surprised to see you towering over the rest of the family. I will forever remember your warm hugs and your loud, but kind, voice. I love you.
Brother Knights wish our Brother Knight a great journey to meet our lord. Council 13925.
My heart hurts today because of the loss of my dear friend Ernie. I can’t even begin to talk about wonderful memories we had with our friend during our time at W.A. Thompson without having a huge smile because we lived a good work life. Weekend pheasant and dove hunts and watching Rugby games were the norm. All of us bonded at work as a family and Ernie lead by example. I looked up to him and had the privilege of his friendship.
My honor and respect to my friend Ernie Wells!