A Tribute to Elmer Selim

Elmer Selim, April 10, 1938 - September 14, 2014.

Elmer C. Selim, Jr., age 76, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2014 at his home in Springfield, MO surrounded by his family.

Born April 10, 1938 to Elmer C. and Dorothy M. Selim of Moundville, MO., Elmer was a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Valuation Analyst, former partner at The Whitlock Company (formally known as Whitlock, Selim & Keehn), trusted business advisor, and long-standing member of the Springfield business community.

Elmer was active in his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Springfield area volunteering service for over forty years. An avid reader, some of his favorite pastimes were working in his yard, exercising, and walking on beaches with his wife.

Elmer's career at The Whitlock Company began in 1959 when the company was known as Roper and Richardson. He was promoted to partner in 1975 and served clients in many industries with tax and audit services.

The last 20 years Elmer provided outstanding Valuation or Litigation Support services for our clients. In August of 2013, Elmer started his own Valuation/Litigation Support consulting firm. The Whitlock Company continued to partner with him in those areas. Barney Whitlock worked alongside Elmer for more than fifty years.

In Barney's eulogy to Elmer, he wrote, "If I could paint a picture of a perfect partner, the picture would be of Elmer. He was a team player, he worked extremely hard, he carried more than his share of the load, he was careful with the firm’s money. He always put the best interests of the firm above himself, and most importantly, his honesty and integrity were above reproach.

Elmer’s analytical skills were second to none, which was one reason he became the most respected business valuation expert in these parts. If one of our clients was considering an investment in real estate on a business, we would ask Elmer for his analysis, which would always be spot-on. Those unique skills will truly be missed by us and our clients.

There are a whole bunch of folks, including all of us at the accounting factory that will miss his honest, caring, thoughtful and calm counsel, not to mention 50 years of friendship."