Robert “Bob” H. Jeran, 94, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Monday, April 6, 2020, in Philippi, W.Va.
He was born March 25, 1926, in Thomas, W.Va., a son of the late Henry and Anna Stankus Jeran. On May 31, 1948 he married Ava Lee Righter who preceded him in death on March 22, 2015.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Jeran.
He is survived by two sons, Robert R. Jeran and wife Robbyn and Stephen Jeran and wife Gini all of Buckhannon; three grandsons, Ryan Jeran and wife Denice, Justin Jeran and wife Erika and Ross Jeran all of Buckhannon; two granddaughters, Sara Jeran of Buckhannon and Claire Kesecker and husband Dr. Jeff Kesecker of Harrisonburg, Va.; two great-grandsons, Koby Jeran and Brody Jeran both of Buckhannon; three great-granddaughters, Elly & Berkeley Jeran of Buckhannon, and Cora Kesecker of Harrisonburg; two sisters, Virginia Lester of Morgantown, W.Va. and Ann Marie Hughes of Parkersburg, W.Va.
“Bob” was educated and began his coal mining career in Thomas, W.Va. During World War II, he served with the United States Air Force in the South Pacific and upon his return continued his education, graduating from West Virginia University in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Bob was a proud member of the WVU Basketball Team in 1943-1944.
After graduation he was employed by the United States Bureau of Mines working in research on the gasification of coal. Bob 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 Idamay Mine 44, Chief Inspector, General Superintendent and Manager of the Marion-Barbour Division.
Bob retired from Bethlehem on December 31, 1982 with 30 year’s service. Since retirement, Bob has remained active in the coal industry by forming a consulting firm, Jeran Mining, Inc. He was inducted into the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame on May 10, 2003.
He was a former member of WV 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 the none-man executive committee, Land Use and Natural Resources Committee and Personnel Resource Committee.
Bob served as a director of Bank One of Buckhannon. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at West Virginia Wesleyan College, serving on the Academic Council, Audit Committee, Investment Committee, and Building and Grounds Committee.
In honoring Mr. Jeran’s wishes, he will be cremated.
Bob was Catholic by faith. A Memorial Catholic Mass will be announced at a later date.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home oversees the arrangements.
