Ernest Forsten

Dr. Ernest Albin Forsten went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, April 3, 2008. He will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and physician who loved his family and community deeply.

Born on January 31, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Ernest John and Gerda Lydia Forsten who preceded him in death. The family moved to Dayton in 1949 where he graduated from Rhea Central High School in 1952. Dr. Forsten continued with his undergraduate work and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1956. He then entered UT School of Medicine in Memphis to pursue his lifelong dream of practicing medicine.

He graduated medical school in June of 1960 and began his internship at Holston Valley Community Hospital in Kingsport. Soon after completing his internship he joined the United States Army and practiced as Base Physician and Surgeon in Savannah, Illinois. After his military career, he returned to Chattanooga for a year of surgery residency at Erlanger in 1964 before beginning his practice in Dayton, which extended over 20 years. His experience and love of family practice allowed him to attain his board certification by the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1979 as a Fellow and further as a Diplomat by the American Board of Family Practice in 1985.

Throughout the years, Dr. Forsten served multiple terms as Chief of Staff and was an active member of the Rhea County Hospital Board. In 1983 North Park Hospital opened in Hixson, TN, which enabled him to expand his medical career in another lifelong passion, Emergency Medicine. He ultimately returned to a thriving private practice in Hixson where he has led a team of dedicated and devoted healthcare professionals including his nursing and administrative staff affectionately known as “Ernie’s Angels” along with fellow physicians.

Dr. Forsten’s caring and compassionate touch was not only felt by those in our immediate community, but also even in remote regions of Central America. Together with a mission team from Chattanooga, he and his wife ministered through medicine and hope to the men, women and children in a village in Honduras devoid of the basics in healthcare in the spring of 1993. He always considered the experience one of the highlights of his professional and spiritual life.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Ginger Brewer Forsten, his daughter Michelle McGraw (husband Darrell), his sons Ernest Stephen (wife Karen) of Knoxville, TN and John Hayes (wife Elizabeth) of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Additionally, his grandchildren include Dustin, Derek and Daniel Holloway, Jacob and Ryan Forsten, Jack, Clayton and Virginia Alden Forsten.

His dedication to the Lord was manifested daily in his life as a member of New Union Baptist Church, and former teacher of Couples for Christ Sunday School Class, Singles Sunday School Class and Deacon at First Baptist Church, Dayton.

Active Pallbearers:
Joe Purser,
Lee Miller,
Jim Sutton,
Robert Hood,
George Lawley,
Eddie Hayes,
Wayne Myers,
Bob Aikman,

Honorary Pallbearers:
Practice Associates & Ernies Angels,
Sunday School Classes – Past and Present,


The service will be held at Vanderwall Funeral Home on Sunday April 6, 2008. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 pm with the service following at 3:00 pm with Dr. Danny Ruehling and Rev. Mark Hickman officiating. In lieu of flowers, the Forsten’s have suggested memorial gifts to New Union Baptist Church and Precept Ministries of Chattanooga.

Please share your memories on Dr. Forsten’s on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .