Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dead at 58

Walt Ehmer, the president and CEO of Waffle House, has died after a long illness, the company's board of directors announced Sunday. Ehmer was 58.

“He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family,” the board said in a statement.

Ehmer was also a board of trustees member for the Atlanta Police Foundation, which announced the death of Facebook.

Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992 and quickly rose to senior leadership, becoming president of the company in 2002, according to the Associated Press. 

He later became CEO and chairman.

“His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement.

Ehmer attended Georgia Tech and from 2012 to 2013 was chairman of the college's Alumni Association Board of Trustees