Emerson Francis Greenman, 88, passed away Saturday, November 21, with his wife, Marjorie (Margie) Parent Greenman, at his side, following an extended illness. He met and married his beloved companion in 1974 and they spent the next 46 years laughing and loving with their family, including seven dogs and four cats over the years. He is survived by: his wife, Margie; his children, Paul (Gina) Greenman of Athol, ID and Eva Greenman Comino of Hattiesburg, MS, from a previous marriage; and by Mark Rothe of Arlington, VA, son of Margie; plus grandchildren, Joseph (Heather) Greenman, Lia Greenman, Anthony (Eden), Sarah, Christina, Sophia and Julia Comino; great-grandchildren, Elowyn and Barrett Greenman; nieces, Liza Jane Green and Sally Angeli; and other extended family. His parents and sisters, Mary Green and Sarah Ramp, predeceased him.
Emerson was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Emerson Frank Greenman and Edna Stevens Greenman on May 26, 1932 and the family relocated to Ann Arbor when he was four years old. As a teen, he spent several summers with his father, who was conducting archaeological field work in Killarney, Ontario. He then graduated from University High School (Ann Arbor) and Michigan State University.
Upon graduation, Emerson entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant and was stationed in Florida, San Antonio, Texas and South Korea. Following his military service, he pursued a Masters degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. He taught science to middle school children in the Lincoln Consolidated School District and in American Samoa. His international experience led him to exploring Asia, Europe and the Middle East with a friend for a time. He then settled in Greece where he taught at the American School in Athens for a year.
On his return to Ann Arbor, teaching jobs were scarce, so he turned his hobby in pottery to his occupation, working with J.T. Abernathy and throwing the majority of pots for J.T. to decorate and glaze. Emerson later spent several years working at the Reuse Center in the book department, until his illness in November 2019. He enjoyed it more than any of his previous employment.
The family extends a special thanks to Brian Bluhm, MD, his primary care doctor and Jeremy Konheim, MD, for the extended time they spent explaining and caring for him this past year. The family would also like to thank the nursing, aides and therapy staffs at St. Joe’s Hospital and Glacier Hills Rehab for the excellent and compassionate care.
Following a prayer service on November 25, 2020, at Nie Funeral Home, which will be live-streamed on its Facebook page, Emerson will be interred at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.