In Memoriam: Robert "Bob" M. Hallisey, Sr.
1936-2024
by HPS History Committee
The world of radiation protection has lost a dear friend and mighty champion.
It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of Robert "Bob" M. Hallisey, Sr., on 20 January 2024 at his home in New London, New Hampshire. Bob succumbed to myeloid leukemia, the same disease that took his beloved wife, Peg, 10 years earlier.
Bob was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 21 November 1936. He attended Boston College and became a "double eagle" (two degrees), and then went on to earn his Master of Public Health degree at UMass Amherst. He joined the relatively new Health Physics Society in the early 1960s. Bob became a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service and rose to the rank of captain before retiring after serving for 20 years.
Bob then became the director of the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MA RCP), a position he held with distinction for 22 years until his retirement in 2003. While heading up the MA RCP, Bob was instrumental in developing the state's Nuclear Incident Advisory Team in the early 1980s and gaining US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement State status in the early 1990s. He also taught medical radiological safety at Tufts University.
During his years with the MA RCP, Bob was a vigorous supporter of the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) and served on the Board of Directors from 1985 to1988 and as its chairperson from 1999 to 2000. He encouraged members of his technical staff to attend national conferences, participate in CRCPD working groups, and run for the Board of Directors; staff absences and travel status for attending CRCPD activities were supported by Bob because he believed it promoted the uniform advancement of radiological safety standards and practices for his program and other state radiation control programs.
While working for the Commonwealth, Bob lived in Winchester, Massachusetts, where he was an active and dedicated member of Winchester's Glee Club, "Staff & Key," and St. Mary's choir.
After retiring, he moved to New Hampshire, where he volunteered countless hours at New London Hospital, at the New London Historical Society, and by driving people to medical appointments on behalf of the Kearsage Area Council on Age.
In addition to his wife Peg, he was predeceased by four of his siblings: Jacqueline Grondin, Larry, Barbara Murphy, and John, Jr. "Buddy." He is survived by three children: Robert, Jr., Barbara, and Chris; their spouses; two much-loved grandchildren: John and Megan Hallisey; and three remaining siblings: Margaret DiRoma, Maureen Frisoli, and William "Bill" Hallisey.
People who knew Bob don't need to be told how generous, kind, and sociable he was; he was a good man who truly loved people.
His children are planning a celebration of life event to be held in the spring.
