City Fathers Need To Formally Recognize The Late Bob Elmore - And Response (5)

  • Monday, November 30, 2015

Our city fathers have a long overdue opportunity to correct an oversight.  If the late Bob Elmore had been an elected official or a man of great wealth, with his contributions to Chattanooga, there would be buildings, bridges, or streets named in his honor.  Please read just some of Mr. Elmore’s accomplishments and see for yourself that some formal recognition should be implemented in honor and memory of a great Chattanoogan. 

For 20 years, Bob 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 is 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 P.T.A., the Brainerd Junior High P.T.A., the 17th Bob Group Association and the Backstage Playhouse, Inc.  He served as an officer or director in many other organizations.  

The governor named Bob 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, state-wide and nationally.  

Bob was active in Scouting for many years both as a scout and leader.  He was vice chairman of the Pastor's 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. 

I rest my case.  The city has recognized many people with lesser accomplishments with buildings, bridges, or streets named in their honor and memory.  Please, city fathers, correct this oversight with at least a street named in Bob’s honor and memory so his family can enjoy this long overdue recognition. 

Gary Miller 

* * * 

I wholeheartedly second the motion to honor the memory of Mr. Bob Elmore. Many of the great things that go on in Chattanooga today have their roots in the efforts of Mr. Elmore. 

He was a community organizer in the finest sense of the term-a wonderful champion for Chattanooga and all we had to offer. He gave of himself in many ways to make our city great from the smallest to the grandest. 

He was never negative or critical but a tireless promoter of Chattanooga in everything he did. 

Would that we had more Bob Elmores today who looked for the best in all of us and then told everyone who would listen about what makes our city exceptional. And an exceptional, positive man like this should be honored in a lasting way. 

Ralph Miller 

* * * 

Here, here to an honor for Bob Elmore.  A man who did so much with so very little and was the ?quintessential promoter of the Scenic City even when it wasn’t too terribly scenic.  

And whatever happened to his pith helmet? 

Garry Mac 

* * * 

I do recall that we named the city tennis center in Brainerd in his honor shortly after he died.  His family was present and we did it with simple but appropriate ceremony - as we believe he would have wished.  The tennis center is where he "held court" almost daily for years - even while fighting cancer.  

Even so, there is no reason that we can't do more.  

He was my friend and inspiration for most of four decades.  I went to see him at his Brainerd home just a few days before he passed away.  He looked up from sorting through a pile of papers and files and photos - documenting a lifetime of promoting the city that he loved - and said matter-of-factly and without a hint of fear or emotion or even concern, "You know Ron, this dying is hard work".  I was on my way out of the country and assured him that we would see each other again. 

Ron Littlefield 

* * * 

I was privileged to work with Bob Elmore in Mayor Ralph Kelly’s Full Employment Program.  Bob was an “idea man” blessed by Almighty God with a creative mind and boundless energy.

Time meant nothing to Bob when working on projects to promote and improve Chattanooga.  He labored untiringly for our community in many meaningful ways. 

Bill Knowles
County Clerk 

* * * 

Kudos to Gary Miller for this recommendation that our city recognizes and honor Bob Elmore. I know the work and commitment of Bob to organizations where he had passion for their mission and success. I became president of the Better Business Bureau in April 2003. Bob Elmore served on its board of directors and continued in that role until his passing.  

Bob Elmore was instrumental in the Better Business Bureau founding and entry into Chattanooga and its surrounding area. In 1960, Bob served as chair of a committee in the Jaycees organization who had vision for the services provided by the BBB. His commitment and loyalty to our mission and support of community was steadfast. 

BBB would be supportive of exploring and determining how we as a community, recognize Bob Elmore, who represented us with passion during his lifetime. 

Jim Winsett
President

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