Britton “Brit” James Ernst, 33, of Minneapolis, born in Austin, Minnesota, on March 3, 1983, departed Earth on March 12, 2016.

Brit was a graduate of Chaska High School in 2001. He received his Bachelor of Science in Scientific and Technical Writing at the University of Minnesota in 2009, and his Master of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Florida — Gainesville in 2013. Brit loved his work as adjunct instructor at the University of Florida, and was recently published in industry magazine Current Pharmaceutical Design. He was planning to enter a PhD program in the fall, and was researching and writing his next publication. He lived and worked in China for five years, spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese, and loved to wander planet Earth. Ever analytical, Brit was also intensely creative. He was a classical piano and guitar musician, and an awesome balloon artist. He occasionally performed all three talents for appreciative audiences.

Brit was preceded in death by his father, James (Joe) Ernst; and brother, Alexander J. Ernst.

He is survived by mother, Beth Bednar, stepfather, Donn LaVoie; close family friend Marilyn Vereide; family members, colleagues, and friends too numerous to mention.

By turns, Brit was a brilliant scientist: brooding, intense, demanding. The private man was also engaging, funny, loving and compassionate. Well-loved by so many, he was a true gift from God, sorely missed, and we cherish the time he spent on Earth. Eccl. 1:18

A memorial celebration of life will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 10 a.m., at the Living Word Christian Center, 9201 75th Ave. North, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55428. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the charity of your choice. David Lee Funeral Home, Wayzata, 952-473-5577, www.davidleefuneralhome.com, is in charge of arrangements.