Engler to retire from ERDC

Dr. Bob Engler (middle), pictured here with Col. James Rowan, ERDC commander, (left) and wife, Pat (right), accepts the Silver de Fleury Medal for Career Service at his retirement ceremony on Dec. 16.

21 Dec 05--Vicksburg, MS--Dr. Robert "Bob" Engler, senior scientist in the Environmental Laboratory (EL) at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., is retiring Dec. 30 with more than 35 years of federal service.

Engler received his doctorate from Louisiana State University in 1972 and began his career with the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (now ERDC) in April 1973. Since his employment in 1973, he has served in many capacities and has participated in and directed substantial water resource environmental and engineering-related research, which has had a major impact on the EL and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

As the author and coauthor of numerous publications on geochemistry of dredged material, flooded soils, sediments, toxic substances, aquatic disposal, domestic and international regulatory criteria and related topics, Engler has been a frequent participant in Congressional and Office of Management and Budget hearings on environmental issues. He has also acted as technical consultant to the Office, Chief of Engineers, on environmental regulatory criteria and guidelines dealing with dredged and fill material and served as an expert witness in controversial environmental litigation and hearings. He has been a delegate to numerous international symposia on European and Japanese dredging and environmental practices.

He has served as a U.S. State Department representative to the London Convention 1972 from 1977 to the present and was elected Chairman of the Consultative and Scientific Group for four terms (1988-1991). He is an active member of the Western Dredging Association, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, American Society of Civil Engineers and the International Navigation Association as chairman of the Environment Commission and Executive Committee member. 

Engler served on the International Joint Commission's Working Group of the Abatement and Control of Pollution from Dredging Activities, Great Lakes Research Advisory Board, and as interagency liaison for the USACE on all scientific and technical issues regarding dredged and fill material disposal testing and evaluative guidelines, criteria and regulations. He has served as an expert on waste management (contaminated sediments) to the United Nations Environment Program, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Maritime Organization, the Sediment Management Working Group and is a member of the U.N. Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection. 

Engler has given training lectures on environmental management to numerous developing countries. He has also served as Federal Liaison on the Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board and several National Research Council committees.

A certified soil scientist, Engler is a member of Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta and Sigma Xi honor societies. He has received numerous awards for his work that include the Commanders Award for Civilian Service, the USACE Project Delivery Team Excellence of the Year Award, the USACE New York District Team of the Year Award, the Dept. Army Decoration for meritorious Civilian Service (twice), the Dept. Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, and the Dept. Army Silver de Fleury Medal for Career Service. 

Engler dedicated his career to serving the Corps of Engineers in the ERDC Environmental Laboratory. 

The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with more than 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program approaching $700 million. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.