In Memoriam: Robert Wayne Bistline

1937-2021

by John Bistline

Robert Wayne Bistline, age 83, passed at his home on 24 April 2021.

Born 23 November 1937, in Dickinson County, Kansas, to Clinton Amos and Dorothy Myrtle Bistline, he also lived in Washington State until his move to Colorado with his family in 1966. He married his wife Joyce in 1993. Bob went to work for Dow Chemical at the Rocky Flats Plant in 1966, where he specialized in research and development of advanced instrumentation for the detection of plutonium in lung tissues of site workers. He received his PhD from Colorado State University in radiation biology in 1973. Prior to that, he earned his MS in radiological sciences from the University of Washington in 1970, his graduate studies were in radiation biophysics and atomic physics at the University of Kansas, and his BA was received from Westmar College in 1959 in physics, mathematics, and natural sciences.

Bob was a program manager of the Internal Dosimetry Program and a member of the Health Physics Society, the Radiation Research Society, and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR) and was a scientist member of the Central Department of Energy (DOE) Institutional Review Board.

He was a leader in the establishment of the DOE's beryllium disease prevention program. During his tenure with the USTUR, he was appointed to the prestigious Scientific Advisory Committee. He served on the DOE Central Beryllium Institutional Review Board. He was an advisor for the President's Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health. He also received the prestigious DOE Pride Award for his exceptional service.

Family members include his wife Joyce; children Steve (Jen), Kim (Ron [deceased]), John (Nicole), Scott (Deena), and Cassie (Brian); grandchildren Brandon Bistline (deceased), Brooke Bistline, Brittney Bistline, Alex Grace, Katie Angel (Ryne Angel), Zac Bistline, Annie Bistline, Ethan Larson, Tobi Larson, and Tyler McNichol; great-grandson Teddy Angel; brothers and sisters Laverna Ernst, Carolyn Beetch, Lois Hines, John Bistline (deceased), and Stan Bistline (deceased); and parents Clinton and Dorothy Bistline (deceased).

Bob loved singing in a barbershop quartet in his earlier years and had been an active member of his church choir and a soloist throughout his lifetime. He collected Franklin Mint model tractors and antique farm tools.

A private family service was held 10 May 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to Canyons Community Church or the Wounded Warrior Project.