H. Ernest Hemphill, 85, of Jamesville, passed away on October 18th, 2025, at University Upstate Hospital.  He was born in Johnstown, PA, the son of Charles Faust Wagner and Rosemary Weller Wagner, and was later adopted by his mother’s sister, Harriet Weller Hemphill and her husband Wayne Hemphill.  He was preceded in death by his brother James Hemphill and is survived by his wife, Bobbie, his children Robin Hemphill (Sally Santen) and Douglas Hemphill (Ping Hemphill-Wu), and his grandchildren Emily Tran and Koralai Hemphill.  He was a retired faculty member of the Syracuse Biology department where he taught a number of courses including the Introduction to Biology course for medical students and was the editor for the BIO at SU publication for several years.  He was a long time volunteer at the MOST where he helped recreate a full scale apothecary to the delight of many visitors. His love of science and developing the next generation of scientists led him to be a Committee Member for both local and state science fairs.  He was a long time attendee, but relatively new member of the University United Methodist Church.  Ernie enjoyed the history of plants and herbs (and had one of the best “fireside chats” on the Plants of Harry Potter that you will ever hear), birding, and the outdoors in general.  The last book he was reading was “Ten Birds that Changed the World.”  The service will be November 1st at 11am at University United Methodist Church, 1085 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210.  He is buried at White Chapel Cemetery, DeWitt, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church. Online condolence to www.shepardsonfh.com