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Pearson Funeral Home, Inc. - Bethlehem

1901 Linden Street

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Elmer Gates Obituary

Name: Calling hours for Elmer Gates
Start: 2015-12-16T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-12-16T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Pearson Funeral Home, Inc. - Bethlehem

Elmer D. Gates, 86, of Bethlehem died Monday, December 14, 2015. He was the husband of Betty S. Gates who died in 2008. Born in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, he was the first son of Arthur and Hazel (Coon) Gates. Mr. Gates was the co-founder of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley and served as the non-executive Chairman of Embassy Bancorp, Inc. since its inception through June of 2009, and had since taken the position of Lead Director. Mr. Gates was formerly Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fuller Company, now F.L. Smidth. Prior to Fuller, he served in the Korean War. He also had a thirty-one year career at General Electric Corp. He was a founding director of Ambassador Bank, a board member of the Lehigh Valley Bank, and a member of the U.S. Export-Import Bank Advisory Committee. He is a past DeSales University Trustee and a Director Emeritus board member of Skills USA. He was a past board member and Non-Executive Chairman of SI Handling Systems and past Director of PPL. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson College, now Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He was honored with the Clarkson Golden Knight Award in 2010; was inducted into Clarkson's Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame in 2011; and was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Executive Hall of Fame in 2012. Mr. Gates recently authored a book entitles U-Turn Leadership. He is a member of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Macungie. Survivors: Daughters, Patti Smith and her husband Mark of Fogelsville, Jodi Key of Douglassville; grandchildren, Brett and Emily Smith, Bill and Heather Key. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church of Bethlehem at 2540 Center Street. Family and friends are invited to call from 2 - 4 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden St., Bethlehem. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Gates Endowment for Hospice, VNA of St. Luke's, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015 or to his Church, 2623 Brookside Road, Macungie, PA 18062. Online condolences may be sent to pearsonfh.com

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Published by Morning Call on Dec. 16, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Elmer Gates

Sponsored by Pearson Funeral Home, Inc. - Bethlehem.

15 Entries

M Nguyen

December 30, 2015

To Patti and family,
My heartfelt condolences for your great loss.
It was truly an honor for me to be a small part of Mr Gates' life for the last 20 years or so. Despite his prominence, he was kind to everyone, regardless of their position, a truly humble trait of a great man. His wise counsel, hearty laugh and big heart will be painfully missed.
May he be in God's loving embrace, and May you find some peace in this Season.

Mike Caruso

December 21, 2015

"One of my true mentors"
Mike Caruso

Gerry and Jill LONG

December 20, 2015

To Patti and Family,

We have been away and missed saying good bye good friend and Community Doer. Jill and I first met Elmer and Betty when the Sales and Mktg Club honored Elmer as our Man of the Year, that was 25 yrs ago, Whenever we needed a friend, advise or just good conversation-- Elmer was there-- During my year as Rotary District Governor Elmer helped us greatly. The shoes he walked in, will never be filled-- a humble, no nonsense man who proved the American Dream -- do it YOURSELF , he Honored God, Family and the U S A.

You are gone but you live on in our hearts and memories.

Be at rest in Jesus' loving arms,

Jill and Gerry Long

Bob Erdossy

December 17, 2015

A man truly "bigger than life." His one liner obituary could be expanded ten fold I'm sure. From the "served in Korea" to what I recall from his resume that read "received a field commission in the Korean War" to expansion of each of the titles that reflected what he was ---a man of action.
He was concerned about the Lehigh Valley and it's people especially the education of it's children. He made the most of his positives while being aware of some negatives. He made his mark and will be missed in the Valley.

December 17, 2015

My deepest sympathy to Elmer's daughters.I grew up in Blue Mt. Lake and knew him in my childhood, although I have seen him a few times in recent years.I live in the Bangor area now.I have followed his career and philanthropy since moving here.Your grandfather,Art taught me and the whole town how to swim and Hazel's homemade donuts were the best!Elmer came from such a wonderful family.Again,my sympathy to you and your family on your loss.

Dale Kochard

December 16, 2015

Elmer recognized the importance of supporting our youth and was one of the first contributors to the Bridges Foundation at the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. He was a wonderful and thoughtful person and our condolences go out to his family in their time of need. The Lehigh Valley and the Bridges Foundation will always remember Elmer for caring so much about helping our next generation.

Rita Granitz

December 16, 2015

I became acquainted with Mr. Gates when he served on the Board of Directors at PPL. He accomplished great things in our community, but I will always remember him for his simple kindnesses such as buying donuts for the young men who were parking cars at a golf fundraiser and complimenting me on my "professional" appearance. Mr. Gates was the consummate gentleman and I will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family.

December 16, 2015

Patti, I am so sorry to hear the sad news of your father's passing. He was truly an inspiring leader and a wonderful man. Please let me know if you need anything. With sympathy,
Denise Maiatico

Rena George-Beck

December 16, 2015

Your father was a wonderful individual and inspiration to many.
While he was a professor at DeSales University I had the opportunity to get to know him when taking his class on Executive Skills Development. He was the pillar who inspired me to start my own business. He cared enough to see my success through and even attended the grand opening of my business. I am so thankful for having had the opportunity to know your father and to have him be a mentor in my life.

Rena

Tom Muller

December 16, 2015

Elmer and I connected years ago via DeSales University and he was the person most responsible for having me enter the Lehigh County government world. He was a very special person to me and I could always count on him for solid advice, encouragement and critique--often over the same breakfast.
His passing is a deep loss for the Lehigh Valley as I know it is for his family. One fond memory I have of Elmer is of him with the grandkids at the circus at Stabler arena.

Steve Frey

December 16, 2015

We had business, church and social interactions with Elmer and enjoyed all of them. We only wish that we had known him longer. Rest in peace and God bless you.
Nancy, Steve and Conner Frey

Michelle Smith

December 16, 2015

So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He was truly a generous and brilliant man. My condolences to you and "Bumpas" grandchildren.

December 16, 2015

You are sorely missed for your dynamic presence in any gathering. As you once told me - "You are glad & eager to lend a hand in any endeavor as long as they want you to 'Pitch-in - be active - give advise - and move forward' not just to use your name".

You helped both Jaynellen & I expand our horizons & grow. It was a very rewarding experience having worked for & with you & call you a friend & mentor - Thank You

Dick & Jaynellen Mannix

Michael Solomon

December 16, 2015

Many a campaign and projects were always made more interesting by the force of your presence. May you rest in peace

Debra Kratzer Comer

December 16, 2015

Elmer was one of the kindest gentlemen I have ever known.

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