SGM Ernie Tabata
 

I regret to inform you that Sergeant Major Ernest K. Tabata passed away this afternoon in the hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.

Details to follow.

I was privileged to serve with Sergeant Major Ernie Tabata for two years on Demo Committee and have been close friends with him for more than twenty-five years.

I learned more in those two years concerning every subject I asked him about than any other two years of my life. I learned not just about SF engineering, but about how to be a better SF officer, soldier, and man in general.

Ernie took charge of the saber arch detail at my wedding and became a Sergeant Major again, like he was still on active duty. He did it exactly right, and his uniform still fit perfectly.

He was a man who lived simply and humbly, but who was rich in friends and experience.

His legacy lives on in the 20+% of the force he personally left his stamp of approval on, in his more than sixty years of service.

He was a good friend, a good man, and will be sorely missed. The world is truly a lesser place with his departure.

Thank you, Sergeant Major, for your service and your sacrifice, and for the time and wisdom you shared with me over the years.

I hope that you and Anna are together again tonight.

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Major. And save me a place at that final RV.

You will not be forgotten in my lifetime.

TR

A fitting epitaph for a man whose inner strength and humility influenced everyone he touched. May you rest in eternal peace CSM.

Rest in Peace Sergeant Major!!

Rest in Peace CSM. You taught me many things and you will live on in all our Brothers that you touched in your life.
See you in the ORP.......

Sargent Major.

Fantastic words Reaper. What an incredible loss. I was very honored to have known him. Rest in Peace Sergeant Major. De Oppresso Liber.

A true legend. Rest in Peace Sergeant Major. DOL

SGM Tabata touched a lot of people who did not go through the demo committee, he was a fixture at the schoolhouse for many decades. If anybody didn't know something, the normal response was "Go ask Ernie, um, SGM, um Mr. T...."

The Regiment lost a great man here on earth, but gained an angel watching over us.

Rest Easy, SGM, your legacy is great and our respect is undying.

I had the honor of meeting him once, and the pleasure of hearing others tell stories about him. Huge loss. RIP

Words escape me right now.

My wife and I had a chance to smile with him just a couple weeks ago at the SFA it seems. I was lucky to have been a student of his and felt even more privileged over the years as Ernie would always greet me warmly and kindly despite how ever long it was in between handshakes. The amazing thing is that he always remembered my name despite my being only one of thousands he had taught. I think he had that way with many a student. He impressed me as a man who has forgotten more about our craft than many of us will ever learn.

He was, and will always be a legend.

Rest in Eternal Peace and Honor Mr. Tabata, Lord knows you earned tenfold.

Rest in Peace
 

Rest in Peace, Ernie.

You made one Hell of a great impression on the Force.

RIP, Sergeant Major.

RIP SGM, Vaya con Dios..