Ernest was born on Jan. 15, 1936, in Mobile, Ala., to the late Charles Ernest Edgar Jr. and Amelia Moore Edgar.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Brown Edgar; his children, Charles Ernest Edgar IV (Mary Ann), Elizabeth Edgar Bole (Mark), and Leverett William Edgar (Cary); his grandchildren Joseph Charles Edgar, Katherine Maryann Edgar, Amelia Elizabeth Edgar, John Leverett Bole, Stephen Edgar Bole, Sarah Nolen Edgar, and Harrison Brown Edgar; his brother, Walter Bellingrath Edgar (Nela), sister Serena Edgar Willcox, and an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ernest graduated from Mobile’s University Military School in 1954 where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He then entered the Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering and commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant. A few years later, he was introduced to an Auburn University co-ed named Elizabeth Brown, with whom he fell instantly head over heels in love. They were married shortly after her graduation in 1964 and embarked on a six-decade adventure together.

During his distinguished 34-year military career, Ernest served overseas in Germany and Vietnam and commanded at NG every level in the Corps of Engineers. His commands included B Company, 237th Engineer Battalion in Germany; the 577th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam; and Little Rock Engineer District, before returning to VMI as commandant of cadets and professor of military science.

Following his tenure at VMI, he commanded New England Engineer Division and later South Atlantic Engineer Division with responsibilities extending halfway around the world including the southeast U.S., the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. He then served as deputy assistant secretary of defense (planning, mobilization and requirements) and deputy chief of engineers, before becoming the Corps’ commanding general and acting chief of engineers. In this final role, he was the Army’s senior engineer officer responsible for all Army Engineer personnel and programs worldwide.

Ernest held a master of science in civil engineering from Iowa State University, graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College, attended the Harvard University Program for Senior Executive Fellows, and was a registered professional engineer in Kentucky and Alabama. Among his military decorations were the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal (two awards).

Following his military service, he held industry leadership positions with firms in Georgia and Virginia, including Horne Engineering Services, a firm founded by one of his former VMI cadets. His service to VMI continued as a member, and then chairman, of the board of VMI Research Laboratories. He also served on the board of the Lee County, Ala., Habitat for Humanity.

In 2001, he and Elizabeth retired to Auburn, Ala., where they led an active and full life filled with travel, Auburn University sports especially basketball, and visits from family and friends. Ernest enjoyed sitting on the screen porch, identifying the wide variety of birds that visited the many feeders dotting their backyard. He especially treasured the camaraderie of his golfing group, the Sandbaggers. The humble owner of three hole-in-ones, he was a self-taught golfer who relished time on the course and the competition with his friends.

Ernest was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where he was a lay reader, Eucharistic minister, and served on numerous church committees including as senior warden of the vestry.

Ernest delighted in the activities and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and encouraged each to forge their own path. He and Elizabeth hosted each grandchild for a special “grandparent camp” the summer they were 9, filled with special moments just for them.

Wherever Ernest and Elizabeth lived, he loved playing in the dirt, particularly planting and nurturing seasonal flowers and shrubs. He always sang church hymns, the national anthem, and VMI’s fight song with gusto, and his special eggnog recipe was a highlight of the holiday season. Ernest told wonderful stories, offered quiet wisdom, and there was not a dog around that he did not befriend.

A funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Auburn, Ala., on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. He will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 Church Drive, Auburn, AL 36830, or to the Major General C. Ernest Edgar III 1958 Scholarship, c/o The VMI Foundation, 304 Letcher Ave., Lexington, VA 24450. NG