On Thursday, December 26, 2019, Robert " Bob" Warren Sheesley of Woodstock, MD, formerly of Ellicott City, MD. Beloved husband of Gail A. Wowk. Brother of Grant Sheesley and his wife June. He is also survived by his niece Cindy Breidenbaugh and family, Karen Noggle and family and Linda Johnston.
Bob Sheesley had both vision and determination. He had the vision to see that our life sustaining resources must be maintained and we are the ones who are paying the price if we fail. He had the determination to bring about change on how local governments see their role in saving and preserving the environment.
Bob started his career as an environmental health aide and eventually became the Director of Baltimore County’s Department of Environmental Health and Resource Management but there were many steps in between.
After earning Master’s degrees in environmental science and business management Bob was hired as the Director of Howard County Health Department’s environmental services agency. During his time in this position, he reorganized the agency into units that specialized in individual areas of environmental health. Prior to his appointment, the agency personnel functioned as generalists. Bob in his time with Howard County confronted many local issues in the areas of noise pollution, air pollution, property development, and food management. In addition to his duties in Howard County, Bob was President of the Local Environmental Health Directors Association. The Association under takes statewide environmental issues and in his role as President he was called to testify before the General Assembly on issues affecting all local programs. It was during this time that Bob became recognized as a statewide expert in environmental health issues.
This recognition and Bob’s accomplishments lead to an offer to head the new Baltimore County’s Department of Environmental Health and Resource Management. The Department’s mission is to protect Baltimore County’s vast array of natural and man made resources. To achieve this task Bob consolidated units from the Health Department, Office of Planning and Zoning, and the Department of Public Works. For the first time, the County had all units that dealt with the environment under one department. Under his directorship, he was responsible for the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area program, sediment control, water quality and solid waste management, air pollution, and regional environmental services. Under his leadership, Bob brought together a diverse group of specialists and helped them see the vision of consolidated effort to help preserve the environment. As Director, Bob worked on many major projects in Baltimore County. One of the most significant was the Caves Valley golf course working with state and federal environmental officials he brought together a balance between development and environmental concerns that created a world class golf course. Another significant project that Bob initiated was the small streams reclamation project. This program restored streams to their original habitat and structure and had an important effect on helping to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
After Bob left Baltimore County, he went into private practice eventually starting his own business, Eco Sense, Inc. During this time, Bob used his technical and administrative skills and his knowledge of local issues to facilitate environmental and development conflicts.
Even after his retirement, Bob maintained his involvement with environmental issues by serving as a member and Chair of the Howard County’s Board of Health advising them on local environmental issues. He was also the Chair of the licensing Board of Environmental Health Specialists which license future environment health personnel who will carry on Bob’s vision into the future.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc., 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075, (exit 6 south off Rt. 100) on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm where a Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the National Wildlife Federation or Maryland Public Television.
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