Last Muster: Ernest Dondis (1924 – 2021)
- ,
- , Uncategorized
The ranks of First Battalion veterans grows thinner once again. Just today – what would have been his 97th birthday – we learned of the passing of Dr. Ernest “Ernie” Dondis on 17 April 2021.
Ernie was born and raised in Rockland, Maine, where he was known for his congenial nature and outgoing personality. He was a straight-A student at Rockland High School, and spent a lot of time on stage with the National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society – even winning the accolade “Thespian Of The Year” in 1942. He graduated that same year, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Marine Corps.
With his impressive high school record, Private Dondis was picked from his recruit platoon and assigned to clerical duty at Parris Island. He quickly advanced to the rank of sergeant, with the specialized MOS of “Clerk-Typist.” In mid-1944, he transferred to quartermaster school at Camp Lejeune and was soon on his way west with a replacement draft.
Sergeant Dondis joined HQ Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines on 11 December 1944 as a senior quartermaster clerk. He served with this outfit for the rest of the war, including in combat on Iwo Jima. After peace was declared and his battalion disbanded, Dondis finished out his time in uniform with the 18th Service Command.
While stationed in Hawaii, Dondis met his first partner, Robert Ross, and decided to move to Pasadena to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He also earned an undergraduate degree at Long Beach State College, followed by a doctorate in clinical psychology at UC Berkeley. Thus began a long and notable career in the studyof abnormal psychology, mostly spent at Cal State Fullerton, where Dr. Dondis was instrumental in launching a graduate program in clinical psychology. He coauthored “The Lives of the Mentally Retarded,” a groundbreaking study in the field of developmental disability. By the time of his retirement, Dr. Dondis was the director of Fullerton’s Department of Psychology; he retained the title of Professor Emeritus until his death.
In 1971, Dondis began a relationship with Frank Fiorello and the two remained together for nearly five decades. In those happy years, according to an obituary,
The couple developed joint interests in gardening, opera, good food, and travel. Ernest, in particular, had a green thumb and loved flowers, so that extravagant blossoms of orchids and many other special flowers filled their garden. In addition to his many skills, Ernest was a highly accomplished pastry chef and loved photography, taking many beautiful pictures to share with family and friends.
Living life to the fullest, Ernest and Frank joined a wine society, a gourmet food club, and traveled widely throughout Europe, enjoying opera, theater, and the arts both abroad and locally in southern California.
Ernest was a wonderful stepfather to Frank’s three children, providing an open home that has left many happy memories of good times for the family, especially of the delicious pies or cakes that were always ready at the end of a family dinner. Extended family and friends appreciated his welcoming and affectionate manner, while his sweet disposition made it easy to care for him over time.
Two wonderful accounts of Dr. Dondis’ life and accomplishments are courtesy of BCH Funeral Home and Cal State Fullerton.
So sad to lose these Marines… I hope all his Marine friends are waiting on him on the other side