Walt Ehmer will be remembered for a lifetime of service, both through his career at Waffle House and to the community at large.
Ehmer graduated from Georgia Tech in 1989 with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering. While at Tech, he served as president of his fraternity Alpha Tau Omega. Ehmer cherished the relationships he made as a student, and after graduation, as an active alumnus in the Yellow Jacket community.
“My life has one common thread to it and that is Georgia Tech,” Ehmer said on stage at the 2024 Gold & White Honors Gala, where he received the Joseph Mayo Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
In addition to meeting his wife, Kara, through Georgia Tech, all three of his children attended Tech: Gregory Ehmer, BA 15; Anna Ehmer, BA 17; and Lesley Ehmer, IE 20.
Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992 and quickly rose to senior leadership. He became president of Waffle House in 2006, CEO in 2012, and chairman in 2022. In the community, he served on several charitable and civic boards, including Aaron’s, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, the Atlanta Police Foundation, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
A proud alumnus, Ehmer gave back to his alma mater in numerous ways. He helped shape the Institute for future generations by serving on the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees, the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, ISyE Advisory Board, and the steering committee for Transforming Tomorrow. He was chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board from 2012 to 2013, as well as chair of his class 25th Reunion Committee. In 2006, the Georgia Tech College of Engineering recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus.
Ehmer was one of several alumni connected to Waffle House, including Joe Rogers, Jr., IM 68, the chairman and son of the co-founder. Ehmer was admired for embodying Waffle House’s unique down-to-earth style of leadership and for his commitment to the community. Rather than lead from an office, he preferred to visit Waffle House restaurants—greeting patrons and associates with a handshake and smile—to learn first-hand what issues were happening on the ground.
“Walt lived out the Georgia Tech motto of “Progress and Service” through all that he did. He cared deeply for this institution. Like many Yellow Jackets, I admired Walt’s unwavering dedication to his faith, family, community, and work. He will be dearly missed by the Alumni Association and the entire Yellow Jacket community,” said Dene Sheheane, Mgt 91, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.