Robert Peery

1969 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health

Currently:
Retired, US Department of Agriculture Farmer Home Administration

"I return to ETSU and Johnson City for events and feel very indebted to the College of Health for giving me the knowledge to have the career I so enjoyed."

"I am Robert W. Peery, Jr. and graduated from the ETSU College of Health in the spring of 1969. I began my college career at ETSU in spring of 1965 after serving three years in the USMC. Dr Morgan recruited me into the field of Environmental Health, and it was a perfect fit. I am so indebted to him.

During my junior year, Dr. Raul Zaltsman of the Solid Waste Section at West Virginia University School of Engineering interviewed me as a master's candidate. ETSU was involved in a composting project at that time. During my senior year, WVU offered me a fellowship and at the same time I was offered a football contract with the Atlanta Falcons. I accepted both, hurt my knee in traininig camp, then headed to WVU.

I received a Master's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Shortly after I began work as a engineer for the USDA Farmer Home Administration in West Virginia where I worked for eight years before transferring to the same position in Georgia. I retired after 42 years of federal service. I live part time in Watkinsville, Georgia and part in Maryville, Tennessee, in the house where I grew up.

My primary job was the technical coordination of projects we funded with the consulting engineers, state and other federal agencies. The agency funded water, wastewater and solid waste projects in rural areas. It was the perfect job for me because I had the privilege of working with rural leaders to provide necessary services for their communities.

I return to ETSU and Johnson City for events and feel very indebted to the College of Health for giving me the knowledge to have the career I so enjoyed."