Member Awardee

Robert R. Buckley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1935. His father had founded Buckley & Company in 1928 and Bob started working for the company while attending Drexel University. Upon graduation from Drexel in 1958, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Bob served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Upon discharge from the service and Reserves, with the rank of Captain, he returned to the company as Vice President. After the sudden death of his father in 1974, Bob assumed the role of President and Chairman of the Board, a position he continues to hold.

Under his direction, the company has evolved from primarily a foundation contractor to a major highway and heavy contractor. Projects in the Philadelphia area are many and include the Market and Broad Street Subways; sections of I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway; the Passyunk Avenue Bridge; and the Philadelphia Center City Commuter Connection. Beyond Philadelphia, the company has participated in projects in New York, including the reconstruction of the Lexington Avenue Subway; the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge over the Hudson River and the construction of the Newtown Creek Pollution Control Plant; in New Jersey, the widening of the New Jersey Turnpike; in Florida, on the construction of EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World; in California, on the expansion of the San Francisco International Airport; and in Puerto Rico, for the Sewer Authority. Under Bob's direction, Buckley & Company has worked in joint venture with over 35 partners and has bid work with over 75 different partners. This is an indication of the respect he and his company have within the U.S. construction industry.

Bob has been generous in devoting his time to charitable endeavors. He has served on the Board of Directors of Drexel University and among other honors bestowed by the university, he has been named one of the university's most outstanding graduates and is also listed in the Drexel Athletic Hall of Fame.

He has served as President of the Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Associated Pennsylvania Contractors. He has served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Chapter of the March of Dimes.

Bob and his wife, Marlene, reside in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. They have five children, including Robert, William, and Kathryn who are active in the management of the company. Readers may recall, that Marlene authored the poem Proud to Be a Lady Mole, which appeared in the April 2006 issue of the Moles newsletter.