Claud I Emrich III

Claud I. "Salty" Emrich III ended his fourteen-year Parkinson's journey on September 20, 2025, at Belmont Village Memory Care. He was the son of the late Claud I. Emrich, Jr. and Charlotte Caldwell Emrich and was a member of St. James Church.

Claud graduated from St. X, and Georgia Tech School of Architecture. Just after graduation he won the 1970 National Institute for Architectural Education "Paris Prize in Architecture" which included a one-year fellowship to study abroad. Upon returning to the U.S., he accepted a position with Arrasmith Judd Rapp Chovan where he worked his entire career, and he retired as Vice President. His expertise was hospitals and health care facilities in general. Some of his designs include Baptist Health Medical Pavilion, Baptist Health Regional Hospital in Corbin, Health Sciences Building at JCTS, Frazier Rehabilitation, and Eastern State Hospital in Lexington. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects.

A forty plus year resident of Butchertown, Claud enjoyed renovating buildings there, and with Butchertown Inc. he designed the first new house to be built in Butchertown in decades. He also designed and built a vacation house outside Maringo, Indiana, and re-renovated a farmhouse in Meade County.

Left to hold his memory is his wife of fifty-two years, Mary Jane Emrich, a daughter Casey Ann Emrich, sister-in-law Kathy Emrich (Robert, deceased), brothers in law Jim Thomas (Ruth) of Merritt Island, Florida, and Hugh Shutters (Jeri, deceased) of Chattanooga, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by his friends who through the years shared in his escapades and ventures.

While Claud was not a big talker (and he was even less so as his disease progressed), he would often surprise us all with his "zingers" the last of which occurred shortly before his death. The Belmont staff put a "bib" covered in pink roses on him, and after the meal he stated, "do you how ridiculous I feel in pink?".

The family wish to thank Seniors Helping Seniors for their home care, the staff of Belmont Village who cared for him so patiently, and Hosparus for their guidance and support. Pearson is overseeing his final resting and cremation has been chosen. There will be a celebration of life at Pearson Funeral Home on Sunday, September 28th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Claud will be placed at Calvary Cemetery on Monday September 29 at 12:00pm. Family and friends who wish to join the funeral procession on Monday are asked to come to Pearson's no later than 11:30 am. Donations may be made to St. James Catholic Church.