December 15, 2025, 91, Mount Olive – After having lived a long, productive, and grateful life, Eugene S. Emmer passed away early Monday evening, December 15, 2025, at TerraBella Retirement Community in Southern Pines. He was 91 years old.
Mr. Emmer, born in Utica, New York, and raised in up-state New York, was one of two children born to his parents. After having served in the United States Army in which he was a helicopter pilot, and having served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he retired with 20 years of remarkable service. At the time of his retirement, he was fulfilling a duty of assignment with the Pentagon.
He and his wife, a German lady whom he loved with all his might, had a home in Columbus, Georgia. After much thought and decision-making, they set sight on settling in a small-town, rural setting. Mount Olive, NC caught their eye, and they decided upon making nearby Calypso their home. Here they lived from 1980 until 2003. During this time, he served as mayor of Calypso, was an active part of the community by worshipping at Calypso Presbyterian Church and was employed with Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. In 2003, the Emmer couple relocated to Wilmington where they would live for the next 21 years. It was this past April when they relocated to Southern Pines at TerraBella Retirement Home to be near their son.
Mr. Emmer is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Steckmeier Emmer, to whom he was married for more than 67 years. Also surviving are their son, Mark Emmer, and his wife, and their beloved daughter-in-law, Camille W. Emmer, both of Whispering Pines; their favorite grandson, David Alexander Emmer of Charlotte; their favorite granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Emmer of Australia; and the most wonderful sister he ever had, Lila Emmer, of St. George, Utah.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Emanuel David Emmer and Irene Levitt Emmer.
On Sunday, December 21, beginning at 2:00 p.m.,the Emmer family will greet friends in the fellowship hall of Calypso Presbyterian Church (116 S.W. Center Street, Calypso, NC). Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary, and will be led by church pastor, the Rev. Nick Nielsen. Committal rites including full military honors will follow in the Calypso Cemetery. Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts may be made to Calypso Presbyterian Church, PO Box 321, Calypso, NC 28325.
Lt. Col., retired, Eugene S. Emmer, US Army was a good man who did a lot of good deeds and bestowed much kindness towards his fellowman. May he rest in God’s eternal presence.
