A polio victim at 12, Ernie didn't let his weakened legs keep him from becoming a man of many accomplishments, musician, sports participant and coach, successful careerist, family man, community leader and recently, all terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiast. During the polio epidemic of 1955, Ernie's parents sent him from their home in Edmonton to stay with relatives in Cold Lake. Unfortunately, Ernie had already been exposed, and came down with polio in July of that year. A few weeks later, the Salk vaccine became available in western Canada. Ernie lost a year of school while in hospital, but his father's ingenuity helped him continue his music studies.

"Dad hung a music stand above me so I could play the violin while lying on my back," Ernie recalled.

The senior Panich had started teaching his son the violin some years before. When Ernie progressed beyond his father's ability to teach, he studied music at the Olson School of School and through the Royal Conservatory of Music. "I played in a Ukrainian Dance orchestra and had my own dance band," said Ernie, who was actively involved in music for years until he thought it more important to spend time with his children.

Two years after Ernie left the hospital with leg braces he was on ice skates. He knew he couldn't play hockey competitively anymore but felt he could coach community sports. From the age of 16, Ernie was involved in various ways with several types of sports, including becoming a certified umpire for men's fastball. "I was a gangly runner so I was the quarterback when playing football," he said.

Ernie also had a passion for the out of doors, hiking, camping, fishing and Labrador retrievers. He competed in national field trials with his Black Labs.


In 1967, Ernie began his long career in transportation management for a general freight carrier. For close to 20 years he was based in Calgary where he retired in 1999 as assistant general traffic manager.

Following the death of his first wife, Marie Anne in 1991, Ernie met Heather, whom he married in 2000. Heather and her three children lived in the same Calgary neighbourhood as Ernie and his two children. "Heather's kids and mine were the greatest of friends," Ernie said. "When we started dating, they'd talk about how awesome it would be if they became brothers and sisters.

In 2002, Heather and Ernie moved to Summerland, which they had come to know from visiting friends. Soon Ernie was singing with the Penticton Tune-agers and once again picked up his violin playing in the Classy Combo and a string quartet. He also became active in the Summerland Lions Club and Royal Canadian Legion. In June 2003, Ernie and Edgar Kilbert, co-founded the Summerland ATV Club. Three years previously, Ernie had purchased his first ATV with a tax refund and both he and Heather became enthusiastic riders.

"We now have over 70 members, including a number of women. Most of us are in our 60s," Ernie said. The club stresses responsible ridership, which includes sponsoring safety courses open to the public and good environmental stewardship. Currently, the club is working with provincial authorities to build trails, bridges and picnic areas with washrooms for use by every one enjoying the backcountry.

A few years ago, Ernie was struck by a condition known as post-polio syndrome. Typically, the symptoms, increased muscular weakness, pain in the muscles and fatigue, appear many years after recovery from the initial paralytic attack of the polio virus.

Ernie is now in a wheelchair much of the time and relies on braces, canes or a walker when he does walk, but that hasn't slowed him down too much. He still rides his ATV a couple of time a week, and is president of the club. "Try to do your best and stay involved," he said, summing up the philosophy that has served him so well.