His childhood was one of privation, his father worked on his feet 16 hours every day with no breaks for meals. Ernst, however, won scholarships and was helped through his studies by his father's employer.
Kanyang pagkabata ay isa ng kagipitan, ang kanyang ama ay nagtrabaho sa kanyang paa 16 na oras araw-araw na walang putol para sa pagkain. Ernst, gayunpaman, won scholarships at noon ay tumulong sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng kanyang ama employer.