Biography and Career of Robert J. Roesser
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Early Life
Robert J. Roesser was born in Buffalo, NewYork in late1909. He grew up in the Buffalo area (his parents were Charles A. Roesser and Blanche Miller), and went onto pursue a career in civil engineering.
Education
Roesser studied civil engineering at the Missouri School of Mines&Metallurgy (now Missouri S&T in Rolla, MO).He appears listed as R. J. Roesser among the engineering students in the1930 Rollamo yearbook of the Missouri School of Mine s
confirming his enrollment in the civil engineering program. He completed his degree (B.S. in Civil Engineering) in the early 1930s.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
After college Roesser worked on New Deal conservation projects. Like many young engineers of the 1930s, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. In that role he helped carry ou tpublic works and environmental projects (for example, improving parks, forests or drainage systems) under the CCC, applying his engineering skills to infrastructure and conservation tasks.
Career at Erie County Health Department
Roesser eventually returned to the Buffalo area and joined the Erie County (NewYork) Health Department, rising through the engineering ranks. By the early 1960s he was the Principal Engineer for the department. For example, when a new 4-phase sewage disposal plant was builtin 1962, its plans were officially "approved by Robert Roesser, the principal engineer of the Erie County Health Department," attesting to his authority and oversight of sanitationprojects
As principal engineer Roesser not only approved system designs but also tested the water quality of county facilities. In October 1965 he personally tested a plant’seffluent for coliform bacteria, acidity, oxygen demand, solids, toxins, etc., and concluded it provided " ;the highest degree of treatment of any such plant in the area"
During this period he worked in the department’s Environmental Health Division, overseeing general engineering issues (sewage, water, sanitation). By1970 he was serving as Director of General Engineering for the Environmental Health Division of Erie County. In later year he also took on responsibility for radiological health (overseeing standards for X-ray and radiation sources in the county). Under Roesser’s engineering leadership, Erie County strengthened its public health infrastructure, for example, setting high standards for waste treatment and water quality.
Later Life
Roesser continued at the Erie County Health Department through the 1970s, reportedly retiring in the late1970s /early 1980s after a long career. He lived in Lancaster (aBuffalo suburb) during hi slater years. Robert J. Roesser died in Lancasterin 1993at age84 .(His wife Eleanor Kaczmarek Roesser passed away in 2000.)
Through out his career Roesser was a respected public health engineer. He was credited with raising engineering standards for environmental health in western New York– notably through rigorous oversight of water and waste systems. His work on sewage treatment facilities and water quality testing helped ensure safer drinking water and sanitation for Erie County residents
.Colleagues remember him as a dedicated county official who combined technical expertise with public service.
Key Dates & Milestones
Year Milestone
1909 Birth:Robert J. Roesser bornin Buffalo, NY.
1933 –1942 CCC: Served as an engineer in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal era.
1935 Military (Guard): Listed as a corporal in the 121st Cavalry (NY National Guard) in 1935records.
1962 Health Dept– Sewage Plant: As Principal Engineer, approved plans for a new County sewage disposal plant
1965 Health Dept– Effluent Testing: Personally tested county plant effluent, finding it ofthe"highest" quality
1970 Director of Engineering: Serving as Director of General Engineering (Environmental Health) for Erie County.
1993 Death:DiedDecember10,1993inLancaster,NY(age84).
Sources
Rollamo Yearbook (Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy,1930),p.52– shows R.J.Roesser listed among engineering sophomores
e-yearbook.com
Kennedy v. Hoog,Inc.,48 Misc.2d107 (N.Y.S up.Ct., ErieCo.1965)–court opinion noting Roesser as" principal engineer of the Erie County Health Department"and describing his sewage-treatment testing
Erie County Health Department records and archives (via NYS news paper reports and case records)–on Roesser’s roles and actions.
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