Bob Elmore
Robert Arvin "Bob" Elmore, prominent civic leader and radio/television personality, died on October 14, 2010 after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 85.
Mr. Elmore was born in Chattanooga, loved Chattanooga and enthusiastically promoted Chattanooga all his life. He loved his country as well; he flew 28 combat missions over Europe in the Army Air Force in World War II.
Educated in the public schools (Central High ‘43), Mr. Elmore graduated from the University of Chattanooga (BBA ‘49). He also attended the University of Tennessee and the University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee). After college, he was employed by Provident, TVA, WDOD, WRGP-TV, Chickamauga Resort (Lakeshore) and had his own advertising agency.
For 20 years, Mr. Elmore served as President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He hosted the popular weekly television show, “Backyard Safari” and the radio show “Scenic Center Safari” He was also TV host for “Discover Chattanooga” and appeared on numerous other shows.
Mr. Elmore was largely responsible for organizing the Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Chattanooga. He served as its first executive director and as an officer or director for over 20 years. He was also largely responsible for organizing the Better Business Bureau of which he was past president and served on the board for 50 years.
He was past president of the Chattanooga Jaycees, the Half Century Club, the Chattanooga Tennis Association, the Barger PTA, the Brainerd Junior High PTA, the 17th Bob Group Association and the Backstage Playhouse, Inc. He served as an officer or director in many other organizations.
The governor named Mr. Elmore to the Tennessee Conservation Commission and he was elected chairman at his first meeting.
Bob was Chattanooga’s “Young Man of the Year” in 1956. The Sales and Marketing Executives named him Chattanooga’s “Top Salesman.” The Advertising Federation awarded him their prestigious “Silver Medal.” The East Tennessee Tourist Council named him “Man of the Year.” His Jaycee youth work won two Freedom Foundation Medals and numerous other awards locally, statewide and nationally.
He was active in Scouting for many years both as a scout and leader. He was vice chairman of the Pastors’ Association’s Committee for a Better Chattanooga. He served on the Juvenile Court Commission, the Welfare Advisory committee and the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
After serving as the city’s director of public affairs, Mr. Elmore served four more years without pay as special assistant to Mayor Ralph Kelley. He also served as consultant to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and was CEO for the Full Employment Commission.
Participating in sports was his principle hobby, as well as spectating. He played most sports throughout his life, continuing into Senior Olympics and with the “Brainerd Tennis Nuts,” well into his eighties. He supported UTC athletics through the Quarterback Club, the Mocs Club, the RBI Club and the UTC Old Timers.
At the time of his death, Mr. Elmore was Vice President of the Chattanooga Area Historical Association, historian of the Half Century Club and a director for the Better Business Bureau, the Tennis Foundation and the Quarterback Club. He was a life member of the Jaycees, the PTA, the VFW and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. He was still active with the Saturday Political Luncheon Club and the Highland Park “Mafia” and advisor for the Medal of Honor Museum.
Mr. Elmore was a deacon and elder at Brainerd Presbyterian Church and one of the founders and an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Nelle Elmore; his sister, Mary Evelyn Hodge; brothers, Charles and Harold, and wife of 57 years, Bettye Carden Elmore. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Candice and Jeff Kisiah (Charlotte, N.C.) and daughter Cindy Elmore (Chattanooga), four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.
In 2009, Bob published a book of his life, “A Funny Thing Happened on my Way to the National Cemetery.” The proceeds from the book were donated to the Chattanooga Area Historical Association. His niece, Judye James, is to be highly commended for her administrative assistance in completion of this autobiography.
A public memorial service is slated for Sunday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. at Brainerd Presbyterian Church, 1624 Jenkins Road, led by Rev. Jeff Kisiah (Bob’s son-in-law) and Rev. Ronald Ragon (Bob’s former pastor). The family will receive friends from 2:30–3 p.m., and then immediately after the service.
Interment will be at the National Cemetery on Monday, Oct. 18, during a private burial service conducted by Rev. Bill Mills (Bob’s current pastor) of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. Honorary pallbearers are the board of directors of the Half Century Club.
Bob was heavily involved in leadership development during his life. A “Bob Elmore Scholarship Fund” will be established to train future discipleship leaders of our generation. Memorial gifts can be sent to this parachurch ministry, led by Patrick Morley (maninthemirror.org)… Man in The Mirror, 180 Wilshire Drive, Casselberry, Fla., 32707, Attention: Bob Elmore Scholarship Fund.
