Islands Icons: Joe & Emily Talbert

by LOUISA GALBO, Coronado Historical Association Volunteer

Joe Talbert was born and raised in Coronado to a Navy family and embodied the true Coronado spirit. His father, Joe Talbert Sr. (“Papa Joe”), was a member of the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1920. Papa Joe’s Navy career took the family to Washington, D.C., Panama, and France, but they always returned home to Coronado. Joe Jr. graduated from Coronado High School in 1950 and followed his father’s footsteps by becoming a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956.

Emily Haugen Talbert was born and raised in Michigan. She came from a family of famous civil engineers that included her great-great-grandfather, John A. Roebling, the architect behind the renowned Brooklyn Bridge construction, which was, at its opening in 1883, the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Emily attended Connecticut College for Women in New London, Connecticut. Emily met Lt. Joe Talbert Jr. USN in her senior year. The first time Joe brought Emily to his hometown, Coronado, was in July 1962 to introduce his fiancée to his family, high school friends, and Navy buddies. What most impressed Emily, on her first visit and in the subsequent years of living here, was the charming small-town feel and the warm and welcoming camaraderie of the people.

After getting married in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in December 1962, Joe and Emily started their life together in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where their first child, Jay, was born. Subsequently, two more sons, Stephen and Peter, joined the family. During Joe’s 26-year Naval career, he had staff and at-sea assignments in Hawaii, Montgomery, Alabama, Geneva, Switzerland, Japan, and Washington, D.C. He served on seven submarines and was the last Commanding Officer of the USS RAZORBACK in San Diego from 1969 to 1971.

Joe retired from the Navy in 1979 when most of the post-military civilian jobs were in the Washington, D.C., area. However, an opportunity to work for a defense contractor in San Diego came up, and Joe did not hesitate to move the family back to Coronado, his home of record and attachment. Luck struck again on the house hunting front when the perfect house came on the market — a custom-built mid-century house with four bedrooms on Country Club Lane. The house was designed by Richard George Wheeler, a famous San Diego modernist architect who also designed the Star Park Condominiums. All three of the Talbert sons graduated from Coronado High School.

Over many years, Joe and Emily joined others in making significant contributions to their hometown. Joe served on the Citizen’s Advisor Panel to the City Council and was the Chairman of Coronado’s Annual Motorcars on MainStreet for three years. He was also the Chairman of the 1986 Coronado Centennial Celebration Committee. Five Talbert family members were honored at the May 2024 Avenue of Heroes Ceremony for their connection to Coronado and their proud tradition of military service. Emily has been involved with various Coronado organizations, including the Coronado Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Crown Garden Club, and the Floral Association. For many years, she was the Co-Chair of the Wild Flower Section of the Coronado Flower Show, as well as the annual Plant Sale. She served on the City of Coronado’s Historic Resource Commission. She has volunteered for the Coronado Historical Association for over 44 years and currently serves on their Board of Directors.

Sadly, Joe passed away in 2012, but Emily still lives in the house on Country Club Lane, which is filled with family treasures, decorations from their international travels, and loving memories of their life together.