Environmental Health Director Merryman Dies

Robert E. Merryman, 60, Orange County’s director of environmental health for 15 years and a dedicated advocate of protecting public health, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Merryman is credited with advancing the cause of environmental health on many fronts, from enforcing chemical handling laws to guarding beaches.

“He was a great leader and a truly wonderful human being,” said Jerry Johnston, assistant secretary for law enforcement with the state Environmental Protection Agency, and a former county deputy district attorney in charge of environmental crimes.

“He was one of the leaders of environmental health in the state of California,” said Stuart Richardson Jr., chief of the food and drug branch of the state Department of Health Services.

Merryman began as a county environmental health sanitarian three decades ago, rising to become director in 1981. His division of 185 people is primarily responsible for enforcing state and federal laws that govern hazardous waste, water quality, sewage and medical waste, as well as food safety.

His career spanned an era of tremendous change, as fast-growing Orange County grappled with problems from tainted ground water to medical waste.

His department’s program for cleaning up leaking underground fuel tanks, which posed a risk to the county’s drinking water, was pioneering and led to similar programs throughout the state.

He led his agency through a volatile time in the 1980s, when illegal dumping of toxic waste was increasing rapidly. He had a reputation for aggressive enforcement of environmental laws. When companies dumped chemicals illegally or failed to comply after repeated warnings, he often turned to the courts to take civil or criminal action.

Merryman helped form a first-of-its-kind countywide task force of agencies to catch and prosecute toxic waste dumpers.

He was known by many of his colleagues as a sensible administrator with a sense of humor who put people at ease. When sewage spilled at beaches or an industrial fire sent toxic smoke into the air, Merryman was often the person who calmly explained to the public the risks involved and led efforts to correct the problem.

Merryman continued at his job after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Sharon Tabscott, his secretary for 15 years, brought him paperwork at the hospital and he visited the office frequently and stayed in touch with his staff by phone.

Merryman is survived by his wife, Colleen Merryman, three sons and four grandchildren. A public visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary in Laguna Hills, with a rosary service in the mortuary chapel at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. A funeral mass will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Mission San Juan Capistrano Catholic Church.