Bob Emery, who served on the Poway City Council for 28 years, died Tuesday after a battle with kidney cancer. He was 74.
Known affectionately as Mr. Poway, Emery began his service on the City Council in 1980 when Poway was incorporated. During his tenure, he served as mayor three times.
The Los Angeles native taught for 36 years before retiring from Hidden Valley Middle School in Escondido. He also served in the Army National Guard.
After retiring from the City Council, Emery wrote a weekly column for the Poway News Chieftain and documented his fight against cancer there. (Here's the newspaper's obituary on Emery.)
In a Facebook post, Mayor Steve Vaus said the death was a "loss for Poway."
"His countless contributions and community spirit will be missed. If Poway had its own Mount Rushmore Bob's face would be on it," Vaus wrote.
Emery is survived by his wife, Suzanne, two daughters and one grandson.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
