Emerson enrolled at the University of Kansas in September, 1942 at which time he joined the Army ROTC. In March of 1943 all KU ROTC students were called to duty in World War, and he was assigned to the 28th Infantry Division. He fought in The Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945. In late January of 1945, he was captured by the Germans and placed in a prison camp in Austria. Americans rescued Emerson and other prisoners on May 9, 1945 after Germany had surrendered. In November of 1945 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sargent and was awarded the Purple Heart. He graduated from KU in 1948 with a Business Degree and later obtained both Masters and Doctorate Degrees. He taught Economic Education at KU from 1978 to1989. He married Elizabeth Abels, another KU graduate, on October 7, 1949, In October of 2018 they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary.