Philip I. Emmer's Obituary
Philip I. Emmer, born April 5, 1928, passed away on March 12, 2018 in Gainesville, FL. Phil was born in New York and raised and schooled in Dade County, Florida. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1949. Phil served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as the Chief Computer of an engineering battalion mapping the Philippine Islands.
Phil established himself as a homebuilder in the Miami area from 1954-1960. Upon moving to Gainesville, he formed Emmer Development Corp. where he was very successful in the business of land development, home and apartment building, and management of apartment projects and homeowner associations throughout the state of Florida. Phil was one of the nation’s largest developers of HUD turnkey public housing programs through his innovation in the development of Lincoln Estates in Gainesville.
Phil was involved in a multitude of business, professional and charitable affiliations having served on many levels of state, local and national affairs: National Association of Home Builders (several committee chairs and board member), Builders’ Association of North Central Florida (all chair positions and past-president), Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce (board member, past-president and multiple committees), charter member of the Board of Overseers of the Health Science Center and the University of Florida President’s Council, and board member of University of Florida Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Gainesville Community Foundation (CFNCF), Florida Council on Arts and Culture and several other UF, city, county and charitable organizations. Throughout Phil’s lifetime he was awarded more than 25 awards, honors and recognitions.
Philanthropy was one of Phil’s great pleasures in life. Having recognized the importance of supporting programs in the areas of medical, educational, environment, religion, culture, good government, public television and programs benefiting children and community, Phil and his wife contributed generously to: Dance Alive National Ballet, Pace Center for Girls, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, Community Foundation of North Central Florida, UF Foundation, WUFT, Cade Museum, Education Foundation, UF Hillel, Boys & Girls Club, Gainesville Fisher House, Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art, just to name a very few. Phil always had great pride for a program near to his heart, the Reichert House, which he was instrumental in the planning and construction of its home facility in 2003. Tuesday member lunches with the Rotary Club of Gainesville were a highlight of his week and he was sure to arrive early.
Traveling and exploring the world and all of its adventures and treasures was a great thrill in Phil’s life. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and journaling their adventures in great detail. The stories of their adventures are a delightful read.
Phil has been married to the love of his life, Barbara, for 62 years. He is survived by his wife; son Robert; daughter Lori McGriff; and 5 grandchildren Ryan, Nicholas, Kyle, Andrew and Philip. Phil is preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Flo, and daughter Jodi.
Phil will be deeply missed as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, employer, businessman, developer, innovator, leader, philanthropist and community member.
The funeral service will be held at Congregation B’nai Israel on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at noon. Arrangements are under the care of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home. If you wish to make memorial donations in the memory of Phil, you may contribute to the Barbara and Phil Emmer Family Foundation, Inc., 2801 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608 where contributions will be made to some of Phil’s most treasured organizations.
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