In Memoriam: Robert F. Jondreau, Executive Director, PA Resources Council

On May 2 Robert F. Jondreau, Executive Director of the PA Resources Council, passed away suddenly.  He was 72.

Bob served as Executive Director of PRC since February 1, 2010, succeeding Larry Myers and continuing the entrepreneurial spirit Larry brought to PRC.  

Bob served on PRC's Board for 13 years prior, spending the 3 years before becoming Executive Director as Board President.

The Board and staff at the PA Resources Council issued this statement on Bob’s passing--

“It is with great sadness that the Pennsylvania Resources Council announces the sudden passing of our Executive Director Bob Jondreau.  

“Bob has been an integral part of PRC for more than two decades, originally serving as a Board Member (including holding the office of President) before becoming Executive Director in 2010.  

“Bob has led PRC through a decade that has seen both many opportunities and challenges for environmental organizations, and has worked diligently to build on PRC’s long tradition of leadership through innovative programs and partnerships.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to Bob’s wife Joanne and the Jondreau Family.  The Board and Staff of PRC will carry on the important conservation work to which Bob had a lifetime dedication.”

PRC will carry on the important conservation work to which Bob had a lifetime dedication.”

On taking the job in 2010, Bob said, "I hope to finish many of the projects that were started at this great facility [PRC's Environmental Living Center at Ridley Creek State Park] in 2009.  It has been a long term goal of the Board to get the facility in top physical shape, and I hope to play a major role in this effort, along with the staff of the eastern office. I look forward to the many challenges and opportunities that face PRC in the shaping of its future."

And he succeeded in these and many other projects working with PRC's staff, Board and many partners.  
Just Friday, the Chester Environmental Partnership in Delaware County posthumously honored Bob with a 2018 CEP Award for his work.
Among the accomplishments of PRC since Bob became Executive Director are--

-- 2010

-- PRC launched the “Let’s Tackle Recycling Program,” a tailgate recycling effort at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.  This highly successful program continued in 2011 at Philadelphia Eagles home games.

-- Scenic Pittsburgh, a project of PRC West, was launched in October with the mission to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic beauty of the Pittsburgh region.

-- In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, 2010 marked the first year that PRC distributed its Annual Report and newsletters via email instead of “snail mail,” which saved trees, time and money.

-- PRC West participated in the Pittsburgh Public Schools inaugural Summer Dreamers Academy  a five-week summer “camp” by offering an Eco-Warrior camp that featured a sampling of environmental themes and activities that promoted environmental stewardship.

-- PRC partnered with the Southwestern PA Air Quality Partnership to kick off the “Let’s Clear the Air” poster challenge. Teachers and students in seven counties in SW PA participated.

-- PRC contracted with PECO Energy to help the utility meet the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Act 129 energy conservation initiative. To accomplish these goals PECO developed a suite of energy reduction programs called “Smart Ideas.”

-- 2011

-- Tailgate recycling included the NHL’s 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.

-- PRC introduced its “Don’t Be a Litterbug” specialty license plate.

-- The eastern office launched its first Farmers’ Market in July at PRC’s Environmental Living Center in Ridley Creek State Park.

-- After extraordinary participation in waste reduction certification from special events, Zero Waste Pittsburgh turned its focus toward businesses, institutions and other large waste generators.

-- 2012

-- ReuseFest, a one-day collection event for materials destined for reuse, made its debut in Pittsburgh.

-- In partnership with the Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, PRC West launched a new anti–litter campaign called “Don’t Trash My Turf!” in the City of Pittsburgh in 2012.

-- PRC rolled out “Cans for Pets,” a two-year initiative to increase the number of aluminum pet food cans recycled and provide much needed aid to a Pittsburgh-based animal shelter.

-- With funding from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (Rural Business Enterprise), PRC West successfully recruited three farmers in Northern Lawrence and Southern Mercer counties to participate in the program and plan for effective composting.

-- 2013

-- PRC adapted its hard-to-recycle programs in response to the implementation of Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act, which prohibits TVs, computers and other “e-waste” from going into the state's landfills.

-- PRC hired Justin Stockdale, possessing two decades of experience in the solid waste and recycling fields, as director of its Western Regional Office in Pittsburgh.

-- In partnership with NOVA Chemicals, PRC launched a campaign to collect polystyrene packaging material for recycling.

-- The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police worked with PRC to establish a litter hotline to enable residents to report incidences of trash being tossed from moving vehicles.

-- 2014

-- PRC celebrated its 75th anniversary at a dinner held at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.

-- PRC received the PA Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for tailgate recycling initiatives in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

-- PRC created a unique new anti-litter campaign, entitled the “Crying Steelers Fan,” that shared an anti-litter PSA with more than 200 thousand residents in southwestern Pennsylvania.

-- The Cans for Pets program expanded to benefit shelters in five states.

-- PRC’s Regional Composting Initiatives expanded to include six new farmers located in four western Pennsylvania counties.

-- 2015

-- PRC hosted its inaugural “Wild & Scenic Film Festival” in partnership with Allegheny CleanWays to showcase environmental films that inspire action.

-- The organization launched groundbreaking and innovative watershed stewardship and stormwater initiatives with the Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative.

-- The Northside Bin Initiative educated and encouraged residents to become more active recyclers via a door-to-door education campaign and distribution of recycling containers to individual households.

-- PRC’s expansion of the Darby Cobbs Stormwater Initiative included the installation of rain gardens, the incorporation of other green stormwater infrastructure, such as green roof technology, and the expansion of the Stormwater Resource Team, creating a network of trained Green Stormwater Volunteers.

-- 2016

-- The “Not In Philly” project became the first online “adopt-a-block” volunteer-driven, neighborhood litter clean-up initiative in Pennsylvania.

-- PRC expanded its outreach via social media and email to enhance two-way communication with members.

-- Zero Waste Pennsylvania presented its inaugural awards to eight organizations.

-- The “Recycle Right” anti-litter public art piece, a seven-foot recycling symbol made of iron rebar, chicken wire and recyclable litter, generated awareness in communities and encouraged individuals to prevent and fight litter.  

-- PRC assumed operation of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Recycling Hotline, which provides community members with resources to locate responsible and local recycling options.

-- 2017

-- PRC celebrated the 15th anniversary of its hard-to-recycle and household chemical events, which collected 700,000+ pounds of electronic waste, tires, household chemicals and more in 2017 – solidifying PRC’s position as the leader in this important area.

-- PRC hosted successful Act 101 recycling roundtables at both ends of the Commonwealth that engaged recycling industry stakeholders and local citizens in discussions about the future of funding recycling in Pennsylvania.

-- The organization reached 785,000 citizens via Zero Waste Pennsylvania at community events, institutions and more.

-- The “Not in Philly” project – which engaged 1,000+ citizens from 87 neighborhoods regarding litter prevention and community cleanups through – was nominated for a Sustain PHL Award.

-- PRC initiated the Stream Smart Stormwater House Call Audit Program and conducted 45 audits in the Darby/Cobbs watershed to educate property owners on best practices to manage stormwater and protect local water quality.

Bob held a a BS degree from Rutgers University. He began his career in the rubber manufacturing industry. While there, and subsequently in the aerospace and electronics industries, most of his professional career focused on environmental and safety issues, including 27 years at UNISYS.

Arrangements

Bob’s family will receive friends on May 8 from 2:00 to 3:45 p.m., at Christ the King RC Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, NJ; where his Funeral Mass will follow at 4:00 p.m. Interment, private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Mr. Jondreau may be made to the PA Resources Council, 3606 Providence Rd., Newtown Square, PA 19073.

For more, visit PRC’s Robert F. Jondreau webpage.

Related Story:

Chester Environmental Partnership Honors 5 With 2018 CEP Awards