Editor’s note: the following remembrance has been supplied. It has been edited for clarity.
On February 15, 2024, after 85 and a half amazing years, Robert Guy “Bob” Peluso passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Bob was renowned in the mining industry for his expertise regarding mine safety and played an important role in that arena, whether it be for dust monitoring, toxic exposure for uranium miners, mine fires, mine rescue or accident investigations.
Bob received a mining engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1961. This was followed by a master’s degree in industrial hygiene, also from Pitt.
He began working with the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1961 (The USBM later became the Mine Health & Safety Administration, or MSHA.). At MSHA, Bob was chief of the Pittsburgh Health Technology Center. His world travels for mine safety included Mexico City in 1985 by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to aid in the rescue and recovery of survivors following a devastating earthquake.
Over the years, he received many acclamations and awards, including the PCMIA President’s Service Award and the Donald S. Kingery Memorial Award, the latter of which is based on the recipient’s overall career impact on mine safety and health. He was also a lifetime member of the National Mine Rescue Association.
Bob retired in 1997 from MSHA after 36 years, and continued to work in the mining industry on a consulting basis sharing his expertise with many companies, including Draeger North America.
Bob was a scholar, scientist, rescuer, inventor, world traveler, conversationalist, storyteller, Pitt Panther fan, winemaker, jokester, leader and listener. He was non-judgmental and endlessly supportive. Impeccable with his word and generous with his time. A brilliant mind and a fierce heart. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.