Walt was born in New Jersey on May 26, 1966 making his way to Atlanta, Georgia at age eight where he remained the rest of his life. He graduated from Dunwoody High School in 1984 and received an industrial engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1989. At Tech, he was a proud member of the Beta Iota chapter of Alpha Tau Omega.
Upon graduation, Walt began his career at Allen-Bradley before joining Waffle House in 1992 as a senior buyer in the purchasing department. He held various positions throughout his Waffle House career becoming co-president and chief operating officer in 2006, chief executive officer in 2012 and chairman in 2022. If you asked him what his role was at Waffle House he would say he was a dishwasher, and his nametag read “Walt Ehmer: Customer Service”. He was a born leader who led others through his actions, not his directions. At every stage of his over 32 year long career with Waffle House, Walt spent more time in the restaurants than in the office working alongside the associates washing dishes, greeting people, cooking bacon and much more. It was his happy place.
Throughout his professional and personal life, Walt focused on building relationships and serving others above self, both within and beyond Waffle House. He served on numerous boards including the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, the Atlanta Police Foundation, Aaron’s and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. A lifelong Yellow Jacket, Walt was chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association from 2012 to 2013, a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation and served on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, ISyE Advisory Board, Georgia Tech President’s Advisory Board and the steering committee for Tech’s Transforming Tomorrow campaign. His passion for Georgia Tech lives on through his self-acclaimed greatest accomplishments and legacy, his three children who all graduated from Tech as proud Ramblin’ Wrecks.
Everyone who knows Walt, loves Walt. He had an infectious smile and an authentic love of people. He would do anything for anyone. Some of his most endearing qualities include (but are not limited to!) his incredible gift of storytelling, humility, sense of humor, thoughtfulness, love of life and desire to create memorable experiences for others. He never took himself too seriously and was always focused on lifting up others before himself. Walt represented everything that is good in this world.
Walt was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2023 on his birthday. After the initial shock, he became determined to fight the cancer with everything he had. Throughout his journey he went through a number of treatments from chemotherapy and whole brain radiation to a phase one clinical trial. He passed away doing what he has always done, trying to help people. Walt agreed to be the first pancreatic cancer patient to try a new immunotherapy treatment. Unfortunately Walt had an adverse reaction quickly which then led to his trip to heaven. His courage and strength allowed him not only to spend more time with his family and first grandson Maddux, but to meet his newest grandson Holden who was born in January 2024. Walt’s poise, positivity, determination, humor, kindness, faith, resilience and unwavering hope as he battled cancer will remain an inspiration to many.
Walt leaves behind his beloved wife Kara Ehmer; adored three children Greg Ehmer, Anna Kate Ehmer and Lesley Ehmer; precious grandchildren Maddux Ehmer and Holden Ehmer; loved daughter-in-law Alie Ehmer; dear to his heart sisters Karen Ehmer and Susan Keesee; admired brother-in-law John Keesee; cherished nephew and nieces Ben Keesee, Caroline Keesee and Emma Keesee; loving stepmother Sikina Ehmer; treasured extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins; and his Waffle House family of over 40,000+ associates who meant the world to him. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Carol Frances Ehmer and Walter John Ehmer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Walt's name to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (https://give.choa.org/waltehmer), The Giving Kitchen (www.thegivingkitchen.org/give-now), Georgia Tech Walter G. Ehmer Scholarship Endowment (https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46972/donations/new?designation_id=55f535&) and Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church (www.judeatl.com). Please continue to share memories of Walt with his family and friends or do something kind for someone else in Walt’s honor.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 17th at Saint Jude The Apostle Catholic Church in Atlanta located at 7171 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta, GA 30328. The Mass will be available by live stream at https://www.youtube.com/live/ZwQfgsmvT-I. A reception will follow at Saint Jude in the Ministry Building. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family Monday, September 16th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saint Jude.
