Birth date: Aug 17, 1936 Death date: Oct 17, 2019
Ernest B. Duarte Jr., age 83 of Alexandria, VA, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at his residence in Lincoln, DE. He was born on August 17, 1936 in Brownsville, TX, son of the late Ernest B. Sr. and Mary Ella (Dorsett) D Read Obituary
EB was a colleague and close friend of my father Oscar Cervantes. They were both originally from Brownsville Tx, and they both attended Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio Tx. I met EB when I was a child, my family moved to Alexandria Va in 1972 and I remember going to EB’s apartment for dinner.
My father always spoke fondly of his old friend EB.
RIP EB.🙏
Oscar Cervantes
I was very saddened to learn after the fact that E.B. had passed.
We shared a love, and passion, for excellence in dealing with our INS and then DHS customers.
In these difficult polital days, I can't help but look at EB's more than 40 years of civil service as very meaningful to thousands he gave critical guidance to. Even more important to communicating EB's legacy is his deserving to be remembered as a true American Patriot.
We have known a beautiful man, an example of integrity, humbleness and professionalism.
Most of all, however, we lost a person who would offer you anything he could to help you. There's not very many of those around anymore.
Goodbye my friend. I will continue to think of you often... always with a smile.
To EB's family, I hope all these testimonials give you a proper vision of how your Dad was held in highest esteem.
Peace.
Although a homie from Brownsville, Tx, -- EB's hometown -- our paths crossed not there but in DC. We met often for lunch at a Capitol Hill restaurant where his quick wit and artful expression made for a wonderful experience. He loved politics and seem to know just every Chicano political activist near and far. He had a brilliant knack for challenging your views and make you like him more. We played tennis many times and he was very proud of his quirky serve. In fact, that is how I will always remember him: a delightful combination of smarts, generosity, quick wit, and knowledge topped off with a fine touch of class. Buen Camino, EB. Al Perez
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of EB . He was a colleague of mine at INS and I treasured the opportunity to have worked with such a noble and professional man. My condolences. Rosie Lacot
E.B. was one of the kindest gentlemen I’ve ever known or I’ll ever know. He taught me so much about immigration law and humane administration of law. He was a font of knowledge and always took the time to share it along with his wit and wisdom. I missed him dearly when he retired and the world will miss him now that he has passed. He was truly “one of the good guys”. R.I.P., my friend.
When I heard the news today, I felt as if someone had hit me with a baseball bat. First let me express my deepest condolences to the entire family.
I worked with EB at legacy INS and later DHS-USCIS on many projects. H e was my mentor when I was a young manager and I consulted with EB on many issues concerning not only supervision and management but also program issues. He was a huge proponent of the program that I led, Regulations and Forms Management Services and also helped to mentor members of my team. Later, when I moved onto other assignments, we were there for each other while facing numerous work-related challenges.
While navigating the rough seas of immigration and naturalization issues, it was EB whom I reached out and he would explain things so fully that I was able to guide and help my staff to ensure excellent performance of their tasks in support of projects and daily taskings.
Outside of the job he guided me with minor sports betting and taught me how to be a better person in my personal, professional and civic life. We shared so many stories at the office and during our lunch breaks about politics, life issues and sports. I know he would be ecstatic to see the Nationals playing in the World Series. I remember during my retirement he honored me with his words of appreciation and so enjoyed the event and conversing in Spanish with my wife who teaches both Spanish and now also French. My wife remembers that he said her Spanish was very good. Funny thing was I did not understand one word of what they said to each other that day! He was simply an awesome colleague and so cultured, witty, knowledgeable and worldly.
I have so many memories of our relationship but what I recall most was his keen appreciation for hard work and his meticulous focus on detail, excellence and accuracy. In my opinion, he was the epitome of a civil servant that executed his immigration services responsibilities with dignity, honor, outstanding service and empathy during my tenure at legacy INS and DHS-USCIS.
It was EB whom I turned to and I know that many others reached out to him as well when there was an issue or problem. He was a great friend and colleague who simply was there to help me and many others while navigating work, personal and civic life issues. His loss is heartfelt, and it is difficult for me to express in this short narrative what he meant to me personally.
Be at peace my friend and rest with the Angels!
Most sincerely,
Richard Sloan
It’s very sad to say “good bye” to EB. It’s a painful loss for my sister, Mary Beth O’Donnell, and all of the O’Donnell’s will miss him. Selfishly, we’ll miss the dinners he cooked at Beth’s home and delivered across the road to Mom’s home, mostly on Sundays. Like an angel, he floated in, dropped-off his delicious blessings and disappeared. If we were patient, we found him later that evening in Mom’s kitchen eating the leftovers that Beth saved for him. Sitting at the table, drinking a beer, he was ready to discuss almost anything: the Redskins, the best restaurants that charge a reasonable price, history, opera, Shakespeare, World War II aircraft (in minute detail) and so much more. He was a man for all seasons, a renaissance man but always a humble man. He will be well remembered by all of us.
Jack O'Donnell
A sad loss for all who knew E.B. I will miss him and the times we had at BHS and were waiting to have since my move to the D.C. area. Our prayers are with his family that he talked about often and also with Mary Beth. Rest in peace good and true friend.
Another Eagle soars!
Bob and Laura Brockman
