Embert Glendon Page

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11: 25

Embert Glendon Page was born on Jan 17, 1940 to Hubbard Fulton and Orilla Viers Page in Buies Creek, NC.

The second-to-youngest of nine children, Embert attended Buies Creek Baptist Church, where his father was the song and worship leader. His father held a master’s degree from Harvard, taught English and Latin at Campbell College, and was a poet.

Embert grew up swimming in the “Moody Hole,” making reed flutes, playing basketball, singing, dancing, and doing good work.

He worked hard all of his life, from the cotton and tobacco fields as a child, to driving a school bus when he was a 16 year old student at Buies Creek High School, to his admittance to the brand new US Air Force Academy in 1958. He became a member of the 4th class to be admitted as freshmen to the Academy.

As a fourth classman cadet, on his first excursion off-base to Denver, Embert prayed to meet someone who could love him and whom he could love. He met Sylvia Gibbens within a few hours. His first question to her was whether she was a Christian. Once they recognized in each other a devotion to living a Godly, Biblically based life, their story-book romance began, and never ended. They courted for three and a half years, and were married on June 7, 1962, the day after Embert’s graduation.

After graduating from the Academy, Embert was assigned to the first nuclear missile site at Malmstrom Air Force Base as a Minuteman Missile Launch Control Officer, where he served from 1962 -1966. As a part of the Minuteman Education Program, he earned his Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering while studying deep inside the Minuteman missile silo.

Between 1966 and 1970 his three children were born. In 1968 he moved his family to Boulder, CO, and shortly after that settled in Denver, and later, LIttleton. 

He was offered a position at Martin Marietta as an aerospace engineer and worked at Martin Marietta (later Lockheed Martin) until 2005, when he finally retired. He worked on many secret projects that he never could tell even his family about; however we know that he worked on guidance and control systems for the space shuttle and satelites, including Skylab. He also worked on defense systems, and on “the greatest and most complex technological achievement in history… used to save many lives on a daily basis… It played a significant role in ending the ‘Cold War’ (quoting from the speech given at an event recognizing Embert’s team’s work on “the largest and most important project in the company’s history,” lasting 23-30 years).

Embert was completely, steadfastly devoted to Christ throughout his life. He set an example for his children and grandchildren by putting God and his family above all else; in fact, he seemed to have no other desire than to live a Christian life, to create a good life for his family, to do the engineering work he loved, and enjoy working in his garden.

Embert always loved animals, and they loved him. In Buies Creek, growing up, he had a squirrel friend he named Rupert; Rupert had many successors in the years that followed. Not only this, but as a father and grandfather Embert meticulously and lovingly cared for each of his childrens’ “fur babies.” As his own health began to fail, he took delight and comfort whenever the “grand-puppies” came to visit.  Elizabeth writes:

“Dad’s absolute devotion for our fur babies and natural cheerfulness with all animals I certainly witnessed!!! He had a natural affection first for the animal world…he’d love playing with the dogs out doors, downright painfully & sweetly, he cared for each & every one of our babies. Then later he’d babysit & lit up every visit from his grandpuppy, even deep into his illness. He was practical, yet devoted, the sweet soul he was as a Daddy and as a Man through and through.” 

Embert did everything with good cheer, and was never heard to complain. He was unfailingly calm and kind. He loved to sing, dance, crack jokes, play basketball, and do outdoor work. Being of a supremely practical nature, he had no need for expensive gadgets. However, his beloved wife Sylvia infused his life with the delights of fine art, the best music, and meticulously planned trips to Europe.

The match between Embert the engineer and Sylvia the artist could only have been made by their Heavenly Father, and for 66 years (three and a half years of courtship and 63 years of marriage) they were deeply in love.

He was a deacon at Southern Gables Evangelical Free Church. He read his Bible every night. He coached his children’s basketball teams and encouraged them in sports of all kinds, even creating a basketball court in the backyard. He could build anything he and his family needed using plywood, a hammer and some nails.

His children and grandchildren remember his sparkling blue eyes, his laughter, his baritone voice (singing 16 Ton), his handstands and backflips, and the funny jigs he did by way of dancing. He took them to do fun things: hikes, bike rides and movies… but also trips to the grocery store, the barber, the bank. Simple chores with Embert were happy events because of who he was. It felt good just to be next to him, no matter where he happened to be.

In his retirement, Embert continued,  through his practical wisdom and steadfast love, to quietly support and guide his wife, children and grandchildren. There are many photos of Embert in the backyard with little ones. With Sylvia he enjoyed the parks and music of Denver, church on Sundays, participating in small group ministry through Foothills Bible Church, and more trips to Europe.

Embert spent his final earthly days at home with his family around him. God called him peacefully to Heaven on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Embert is survived by his wife Sylvia, his children Lawrence, Katherine and Elizabeth, and his grandchildren. We are forever thankful for his bright, steadfast presence on this earth and in our lives.

Celebration of Life

Thursday Feb 20, 1:00 pm

Foothills Bible Church, 6100 S Devinney Way, Littleton, CO 80127

Please join the family for light refreshments following the service.

Burial*

Friday Feb 21, 12:00 pm (noon)

Air Force Academy Cemetery Memorial Pavilion

3024 Parade Loop, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

*PLEASE NOTE: every person who wants to attend the burial at the Air Force Academy Cemetery MUST fill out the form linked below ASAP. The form can be accessed via the URL or the QR code below.

https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usaf&i=united_states_air_force_academy&e=N3BT3L4T

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be in some form of planting a tree in their backyard (lost it in the last storm), in Embert's name and memory. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Embert Glendon Page, please visit our floral store.