Stuart Komer

Mr. Komer built Elmira greeting card and check printing company Artistic Greetings into a powerhouse that employed as many as 1,400 people at its peak. Mr. Komer had a brief stint as a catcher with the St. Louis Browns and also played a stretch with the Elmira Pioneers baseball team. Mr. Komer, who led Artistic Greetings for 33 years, died May 23 in Florida. He was 92. Mr. Komer was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Ohio State University after a stint in the U.S. Navy. During his time with the Elmira Pioneers, Mr. Komer met his first wife, Betts Fidelman, and eventually worked with her father at what was then known as Artistic Cards. After Betts died, he later wed Judith White, and they were married for 23 years until his death. He was a longtime member of the board of managers at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and a trustee of Alfred University, Elmira College, Keuka College and the University of New Hampshire Business School. He was also a director for the Arnot Art Museum, Elmira Symphony and Chorale Society, Southern Tier Economic Growth, Industrial Development Association, Peace by Piece and other organizations. Mr. Komer was an active member of both Temple B’nai Israel and Congregation Shomray Hadath, and served as a director of The Jewish Welfare Fund and The Jewish Community Center.