Waffle House CEO Walter G. Ehmer is survived by his wife, Kara Petracek Ehmer, and three children.
Sadly, Walt Ehmer, aka Walter G. Ahmer, a member of the Atlanta Police Foundation’s board of trustees, passed away on September 6, 2024, at 58, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Highlights
- Walt Ehmer passed away at 58 from complications of pancreatic cancer.
- Ehmer was married to Kara Petracek Ehmer, with whom he shared three children.
- Ehmer’s daughter, Anna Ehmer, serves as Novelis’s commercial account manager.
He joined Waffle House in 1992 and was promoted to senior leadership, becoming president of the company in 2002.
Ehmer’s leadership, dedication, and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond.
The board of directors of Waffle House stated on Sunday, September 7, 2024, saying,
“He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family,”
Waffle House BOD
Walt was a chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2013.
He served in organizations, including the Georgia Tech Foundation Board and the Georgia Tech Advisory Board.
Walter G. Ehmer’s Wife, Kara Petracek Ehmer, Is A Former Managing Director Of MiddleM Creative
Walter G. Ehmer was married to his supportive wife, Kara Petracek Ehmer. However, the exact date of their wedding has not been disclosed yet.
Walter and Kara met for the first time while working at Georgia Tech.
Kara congratulated Walt Ehmer when he was selected to receive the Joseph Mayo Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award. She said,
Congrats Walt Ehmer! You are an amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend, leader and so much more. I know I am biased but as many of you know, Walt is such an inspiration to me and so many people. Why? Watch his acceptance speech and if you don’t already know you will understand. Love you Walt and thank you for your commitment to others, the impact you’ve had on so many lives and how you do everything with such humility and grace.
Kara Petracek Ehmer
His wife Kara, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, but lives in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, studied Sociology at Wake Forest University from 1996 to 2000.
She served as Vice President of Events and Campus Relations at Georgia Tech Alumni Association from March 2009 to February 2016.
Moreover, she worked as a managing director of MiddleM Creative Company from April 2019 to November 2020.
She was the Chief Strategy Officer of PBD Worldwide from November 2020 to January 2021.
Ehmer has served as Plow Horse’s strategy, project execution, marketing, and business development officer since February 2021.
Walter G. Ehmer’s All Three Children Are Graduated From Georgia Institute Of Technology
Walter G. Ehmer and his wife, Kara Petracek Ehmer, were blessed with three children: Gregory Ehmer, Anna Ehmer, and Lesley Ehmer.
His daughter, Anna Ehmer, is a commercial account manager at Novelis and a former Atlanta Braves guest relations representative.
Five months ago, Anna congratulated her father, Walt, after he received the Joseph Mayo Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award. She wrote,
Proud to have Walt Ehmer as my dad, but also as my mentor and friend. If you have a few minutes, highly recommend watching his speech! Truly inspiring to hear from someone who loves what he does.
Anna Ehmer
His son Gregory Ehmer is the Global Operations Manager, and his second daughter Lesley Elmer is the Senior Logistics Analyst of The Home Depot.
Additional Information
- Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer had an estimated net worth of over $20 million.
- Walter G. Ehmer graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1989.
- He started his career at Allen-Bradley, the brand name of a line of factory automation equipment owned by Rockwell Automation.
