Robert McLeod

Robert Stuart (Bob) McLeod passed away peacefully with family by his side in Dahlonega, Ga. on November 25, 2011. Bob was born in Chicago, Ill., the son of Robert and Mary (Dickiey) McLeod. He grew up in South Chicago and was a graduate of Austin High School s class of 1957. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1962 and his M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1965. Over the span of more than 40 years, Bob worked as a professional engineer, hydrologist and geologist, specializing in groundwater modeling, remediation and environmental cleanup. He began his career in 1962 as a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1964, he became a Hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Madison, Wis., where, for the next fifteen years, he served as chief of the Computer Applications Services Unit and an expert on groundwater flow modeling. He relocated to Marietta, Ga., in 1980 where he worked as a Senior Engineer with Law Engineering Testing Co., providing hydrologic expertise related to the feasibility of using salt domes in the Gulf Coast area as high-level nuclear waste storage sites. In 1982, Bob became a Senior Associate with Engineering Science (later Parsons Engineering Science) where he managed major programs for the characterization and remediation of hazardous wastes. He moved to Oak Ridge, Tenn., in 1988 where he served as the office manager until 1996. He continued with Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group, Inc., as a department manager for mixed and hazardous waste studies until 1997. Along the way, Bob also founded Robert S. McLeod and Associates, Inc., in 1982, which provided services to land developers in the design of runoff structures and managed numerous hazardous waste projects to identify the impact of buried materials on groundwater. As hobbies, Bob enjoyed home improvement projects and building personal computers from component parts. He had a great passion for aviation and obtained his private pilot s license in 1968, instructor certification in 2003, and commercial license in 2005. Later in life, he traveled extensively. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and was twice widowed by the passing of Barbara (Potre) McLeod and Joyce (Harry) McLeod. Bob is survived by his spouse, Iris McLeod; brother in law Bruce Potre and spouse, Sandy Potre; daughter Jeannine Mills and spouse, Dean Mills; daughter Carolyn Wohl and spouse Jeff Wohl; step-son James McLeod and spouse Jennifer-Dove McLeod; step-son David Tenney; and grandchildren Brandon, Daniel, Rachel and Cassie Mills, Parker and Bonnie Wohl, and Wm. Walden McLeod. A service of celebration and remembrance will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Dahlonega Funeral Home. A gathering of friends and family will begin at 12 noon with a service at 1:00 p.m. and a reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society via Carolyn Wohl s participation in the Cobb County Relay for Life.