Hugh Franklin Emrich, age 79 of Manhattan and formerly of Leonardville, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

He was born on July 6, 1940 in Salina, the son of Bernard and Genevieve (Fox) Emrich.

On August 21, 1959 in Tribune, he was married to Claudine “Kay” Smith.  She survives of the home.

Hugh was a man of many skills.  He was everything from a heavy equipment operator to a finish carpenter and helped start Emrich Family Creamery.  He was a true conversationalist and enjoyed geology and fishing.  He was a lover of art and an accomplished watercolorist.  In his earlier years, he was an Eagle Scout and had a keen interest in herpetology.

In addition to his wife Kay, he is survived by five children, H. Thayne Emrich and wife Shannon of Leominster, Massachusetts, Dagna D’Ercole and husband James Miller of Lawrence, Rambr Emrich and wife Margaret of Hollandale, Wisconsin, Amber Emrich of Leonardville and Natasha Emrich Behrens and husband Jeremy of Leonardville; a daughter-in-law, Angela Emrich of Milford, Nebraska; one sister, Viriginia Fuller of Longford; twelve grandchildren, Maxwell Emrich (Jordan Williams), Noah Emrich, Rory Emrich (Emma), Christian Emrich, Abby Emrich, Lilly Emrich, Kaylie Emrich, Levi Emrich, Eryn Emrich, Brynna Emrich, Lisa Emrich and Tristan Behrens and one great granddaughter, Daphne Emrich.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ragnar Emrich; his sister, Susan Fox and his great granddaughter, Isa Emrich.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home with Pastors Steve Ratliff and David VanBebber officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday.  Burial will be in the Riley Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Meadowlark Hills Foundation and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.