Robert H. “Bob” Jeran

Robert 'Bob' H. Jeran began his coal mining career in his hometown of Thomas, West Virginia. During World War II, he served with the United States Air Force in the South Pacific and upon his return continued his education. After graduation, he was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines working in research on the gasification of coal. Jeran also attended the Executive Program at Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York. He joined Bethlehem Mines Corporation in 1953 as a laborer at the former Century Mine 101 and was subsequently promoted to a number of operating and supervisory positions, including mine foreman at the Century mine, production engineer at Barrackville Mine 41, assistant superintendent at ldamay Mine 44, chief inspector, general superintendent and manager of the Marion-Barbour Division. Jeran retired from Bethlehem in 1982, after 30 years of service. After his retirement, Jeran remained active in the coal industry by forming a consulting firm, Jeran Mining, Inc. He was a former member of West Virginia Society of Professional Engineers, the Mine Inspectors Institute of America, the West Virginia University Varsity Club, and twice president of the Central West Virginia Coal Mining Institute. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Central West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, West Virginia Safety Council, Mine Inspector Institute of America, West Virginia Surface Mining and Reclamation Association, West Virginia Coal Development Authority, Buckhannon Chamber of Commerce and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the West Virginia Chamber, he served on a nine-man executive committee, Land Use and Natural Resources Committee and Personnel Resource Committee.