| Graduation Year | Class of 1974 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 18, 2009 |
| About | TROY, NY: Mark Edward Emmert died June 18, 2009 in Albany, New York after a long struggle with liver disease. He was 53 years old. Emmert was born February 29, 1956 in Zanesville, Ohio to Edward Francis Emmert and Doris Jean Sigrist Emmert. He graduated from Zanesville High School in 1974 and continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowling Green State University in 1978 and a Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in 1979. He was a successful lobbyist, working with the American Petroleum Institute in Ohio and with an Ohio law firm in government relations. He lobbied the Ohio legislature on energy, intellectual property, access to public records issues, and healthcare and insurance issues, among others. Emmert was legislative aide to the president of the Ohio Senate, and later had his own small public relations consulting business. Before retiring on disability, he worked for the Public Utilities Commission in New Hampshire, and was an adjunct professor for both Southern New Hampshire University and the University system of New Hampshire. Emmert was an avid tennis player and strong competitor, and he was a more enthusiastic than talented golfer. He was an avid Buckeyes fan and supported them win or lose. His first love was music and he was proud to say he played a one-night gig with the Count Basie Orchestra. He loved to read and always had a stack of books at the ready, from mysteries to the life of Abraham Lincoln. His taste in music was just as eclectic, including such artists as Jimmy Buffet and Yo-Yo Ma. He is survived by the light of his life, his daughter, Meredith Ellen Neiman-Emmert, of Washington, DC; his life-long partner, Dana Jean Yamashita, of Troy, NY; his parents, Ed and Doris of Zanesville, Ohio; brother, Steven Michael (Margie) Emmert, of Chantilly, VA; younger sisters, Karen Lea (Lawrence) Power and Janet Lynne (Craig) Campbell, both of Columbus, Ohio; five nephews; three nieces; one great-nephew; and Meredith's mother, Mary Jane Neiman of Hilliard. A memorial service will be held in Zanesville, Ohio on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 925 East Main Street. Contributions in Mr. Emmert's name may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603 New York, NY 10038. Tel: 212-668-1000 www.liverfoundation.org |
