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Robert Emmet

April 19, 1945 — September 19, 2023

Shaker Heights, OH

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Memorial Service

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Saturday, September 30, 2023

12:00 - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Robert Emmet

Robert Emmet, beloved husband of Gail Putnam Emmet, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at the age of 78.

Bob was born in New York, NY on April 19, 1945, son of the late Jessie Keena Emmet and Richard Stockton Emmet, brother of Katie Emmet Peterson, Harry Schroeder and David Schroeder, and the late William T. Emmet, Jane Emmet Drake and Richard S Emmet. After attending The Green Vale School, Bob graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire in 1963. Bob majored in History at Yale University where he was captain of the Yale Varsity Heavyweight Crew in 1967. That same year Bob rowed in the Olympic Trials.

After college, Bob joined the Marine Corps and earned a rank of Captain of the 11th Regiment from 1967 to 1970 which included a tour of duty in the Vietnam war in 1969 as an artillery officer.

Upon returning from Vietnam in May 1970, Bob met his wife-to-be at his sister Katie’s wedding in June. Bob and Gail were engaged in July and married in Milton, Massachusetts on September 5, over Labor Day weekend.

Bob and Gail’s first son, Richard, was born in 1971; the same year Bob started Harvard Business School. After graduating in 1973, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, settling in Cleveland Heights. In 1976, their second son, Robert, was born.

In 1975, Bob began to work at Cleveland-Cliffs. He enjoyed a long and productive career as a financial officer for the company. He retired in the summer of 2003.
Bob’s passions in life were his family, running, and rowing.

First and foremost was his family. Bob loved nothing more in life than attending children and grandchildren’s sporting events and special occasions, wherever it took him. He treasured his two daughters-in-law, Jackie and Caroline Emmet, as well as his five grandchildren: Robert, Lizzie, Eliza, Christopher, and Greer.

His love for running led him to compete in more than 50 marathons including one ultra 50 mile marathon, and countless numbers of 10K’s and half marathons.

In retirement, Bob went back to rowing as a member of the Western Reserve Rowing Association (WRRA). Bob served on the board of WRRA, was director of outreach, and a teammate to many. While he rowed competitively in his age group, the highlight of his recent years was the privilege of coaching the boys on the St. Ignatius Wildcat Navy Crew. He was so proud of being Coach Bob.

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to Western Reserve Rowing Association, 1003 British St., Cleveland, OH 44113, St. Ignatius Wildcat Navy Capital Fund, 1911 W. 30th St., Cleveland, OH 44113 or to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44106 where a Memorial Service will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, September 30th.

To view this service virtually please log online to this link before the service:

https://youtube.com/live/Wd05-RGMpdo?feature=share