If you’ve ever eaten at TDX, you know Ern is more than our chef– he’s family. For better or for worse, he’s the loud laugh in the kitchen and the quiet ear in the hallway. Again–for better or for worse– he’ll roast you, then wrap it with advice you didn’t know you needed. Funny, charismatic, and larger than life, but also humble and reserved, Ern has fed us more than meals. Currently, he’s facing a hard legal fight over his family’s inheritance while caring for his wife, who has dementia, and he humbly needs our support to gain an attorney. After nearly three decades of showing up for us, it’s our turn to show up for him.

After confiding in several brothers, we have decided that the best action to take is to help Ern raise money. Below are some words from him. If you have the time, please spare a moment of your day to read Ern’s story, and hopefully by the end, you will be inspired to help him in his cause.

“To whom I consider my Younger Brothers, TDX Alum:

This is Ern. I hope all is well with all of you. As you all know, I’ve always shown with my committed action that I have always been, and will always be, grateful and blessed to be a part of TDX, Theta Delta Chi! I have never taken my position for granted, and January 2026 will make 30 years for me to support that.

I am reaching out to all of you right now, first to say that for the bros that experienced me doing the best to give you the food service, if I have ever done or said anything that any of you did not like, or you thought might have been disrespectful toward you, I am truly sorry. If in any way I have impacted any good vibes, and you discerned real love and care for you and TDX from me, I would like to make a plea for your help. I wanted to write this years ago, but I was prideful, nervous, and most of all, afraid of rejection. I’ve always thought that most of you have shown me love, but this is a little different.

I have been in civil litigation since 2019 over my inheritance through some property that my late mother and father left to myself and my 7 other siblings. It is a very long and embarrassing story when siblings fight over money, but if any of you need specific details, I can try to tell you personally over the phone. The bottom line is I am in desperate need for an alum Go-Fund-Me to hire an attorney: a UC Haas Law School Alum by the name of Maha Kasim who told me that she will fight hard for me. Through this 6 year process, I couldn’t ever afford an attorney, always representing myself, which has resulted in some horrible defeats, when trust me, with an attorney, I could easily win based on truth and justice. This could be my last what I call substantial payday in my lifetime, and I have a daughter and two grandkids. My wife has been suffering with dementia for the last 5 years; that’s why she’s always with me now. So you know I have a lot on my plate. I need a minimum of 15 thousand dollars, and I pray it can be done, knowing Theta Delta Chi men all wind up being big ballers, shot callers when it comes to money. I am also sure as successful men, you are all good stewards over your finances, and if you do spend your money on something more than yourselves and your family, it is for a good cause. I pray that this and my desperate situation is one of those good causes.

In all these years, no matter what I’ve been through with my seasonal job, I’ve never asked for anything as important as this. For those that are compassionate enough to be willing to help me, I don’t have to touch a penny. This will all be going straight to the attorney. I can give you the attorney’s info.

I am on my last stance in this fight, and I have nowhere else to turn.

Thank you all for reading this to the end, and for your consideration in this matter. Look at it as your philanthropist roots that you established at TDX! I’m really not in a hurry, but I’m in an extremely BIG hurry!!! Help your boy out… (humbly).

Love you all, Ern.”

Ern has a dismissal hearing filed against him scheduled for September 13th, so he needs this attorney ASAP, so his attorney can file a motion of continuance. If Ern ever fed you during your time at the house, listened when you were struggling, or made you laugh when you needed it, please stand with him now. Any amount helps and will go directly to his legal counsel; if you can’t give today, sharing this note, offering a referral, or sending a message of support makes a real difference.

If you donated, please leave your name and number below so Ern can thank you personally!