Former Poway City Councilman Bob Emery dies
Former Poway City Councilman Robert C. “Bob” Emery died Tuesday morning following a year-long battle with cancer. He was 74.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the Community Church of Poway.
Emery’s service on the council began in 1980, when he received the most votes cast for a seat on the new Poway City Council following incorporation late that year. He served continuously until his retirement in December 2008. During his tenure he served as the appointed mayor three times, in 1981-82, 1984-85 and 1987-88. Upon his retirement from city service the council unanimously named the building in which it meets “The Robert C. Emery City Council Chambers.”
Prior to incorporation, Emery served 10 years on the Poway Planning and Development Program (PPDP) and participated in the creation of the Poway Community Plan which served as a guide to the unincorporated community’s growth until 1980.
“Poway owes a debt of gratitude to Bob Emery,” said Mary Shepardson, who served with Emery on the first City Council. “Much of what we love about our community is due in large measure to Bob’s devotion and perseverance. He was Poway’s tenacious champion.”
Added Bruce Tarzy, another original member, “Bob had a passion for Poway. No one loved this city more deeply or served it longer. He had the vision to look ahead 50 years and see how the quality of life of our community could be preserved through enlightened policies. He also had the principles and strength to make it a reality.”
Former Mayor Don Higginson, who served two decades with Emery, said “I have crossed paths with a number of folks in my lifetime and Bob certainly left an impression. His pride for his beloved city was legend. I had the privilege of serving side by side with Bob for over 20 years and the city is a much better place because of his work, no-nonsense approach and love for his family and home.”
Flags on city buildings are flying at half-mast. On Tuesday night members of the City Council paid tribute to Emery and adjourned the meeting in his honor. Councilman Jim Cunningham spoke of being talked by Emery into replacing him on the council and how, after cleaning out his City Hall office, Emery left him only two items: a copy of the General Plan and note to Cunningham saying, “Don’t screw it up.”
Mayor Steve Vaus said that “If Poway had a Mt. Rushmore, Bob Emery’s image would be on it.”
While on the council Emery was a strong advocate for parks and recreation in the city and worked regionally on the planning and building of the Scripps Poway Parkway. He advocated for the construction of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts and for a close municipal relationship with the school district.
Emery also was strong voice for volunteerism in the city. He called for the creation of the sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol and sponsored the creation of the Reserve Park Ranger Program. Both he and his wife, Suzanne, were park rangers.
One of Emery’s main passions was the Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center at Pauwai. He was instrumental in gaining over $350,000 in state matching funds for the center to create an education center for the public and for a third-grade education program in the Poway Unified School District. He and his wife also served as docents at the center.
Emery served 16 years as the city’s representative to the Metropolitan Transit System. As a strong advocate of public transit, he worked with other board members to expand the trolley system to East County.
Following his retirement from the council, he wrote the monthly “My Town” column for the Poway News Chieftain.
Emery retired in 2001 from Hidden Valley Middle School in Escondido after 36 years of teaching at the middle school level. He was hired by the Orange Glen School District in 1965. The district merged in 1971 with the Escondido Union School District. Emery served in several capacities in the district and was active in the leadership of several employee unions.
Born in Los Angeles, he grew up primarily in Central and Southern California. He graduated from what was then Palomar Junior College then attended San Diego State College where he received a general secondary teaching degree credential in 1965.
He joined the California Army National Guard in 1962 and served in the Escondido unit until 1970. During that time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and rose to the rank of captain in 1969.
In addition to his wife Emery is survived by two daughters, Kathleen and Krysty; a sister, Joyce Cook, and a grandson.
