Ernie Foss Jr.
Ernie was a lifelong musician, photographer, and creative spirit whose journey took him from San Francisco to the East Bay and ultimately to Paradise, California. Over the years, he worked as a studio rock musician, jam band balladeer, and IT specialist, embracing each chapter of his life with curiosity and resilience.
Music remained Ernie's greatest passion, but photography became another important creative outlet. Through a remarkable collection of black-and-white photographs, he privately documented the changing streets, neighborhoods, and character of his beloved hometown of San Francisco, preserving moments of its history through his unique artistic eye.
His daughter, Angela Loo, remembers him as "a jack of all trades" with an encyclopedic knowledge and love of music. A true free spirit, Ernie inspired those around him with his warmth, creativity, and adventurous nature. Even during his final years, when illness left him bedridden, he remained grateful, resilient, and found his greatest joy in spending time with his grandchildren.
On November 8, 2018, Ernie lost his life in the Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, California. The fire also destroyed his music collection and much of his creative work. Today, the surviving recordings, photographs, and memories he left behind stand as enduring reminders of a life devoted to music, creativity, and the preservation of the world as he saw it.
