Clarence Tuma, who founded The Embers fine-dining restaurant in 1958 and was a former two-sport student-athlete at Central Michigan University, died Thursday. He was 91.
Tuma remained close to CMU athletics after graduating from CMU in 1950. The Embers hosted all coaches’ lunches for many years, and he was a regular visitor to games and athletics events even in recent years.
“We’ve lost a friend and a tremendous supporter,” CMU Director of Athletics Dave Heeke said. “Always kind and giving of his time, he was a Chippewa every day.”
Tuma was a 5-foot-11-inch, 219-pound tackle on the football team from 1946-49, and he lettered his freshman year while playing under Coach Lyle Bennett.