Robert Mader, a longtime editor who covered the PHCP industries for almost 40 years, most recently as the editor of Plumbing Engineer, died on Feb. 22 at the age of 65.
“The entire PHCPPros team is deeply saddened by this news,” said Brad Burnside, publisher of Plumbing Engineer. “Bob was an exceptional journalist and extremely respected in our industry. He will be missed by so many.”
Mader had recently joined the staff of PHCPPros, but started covering the plumbing and heating industry in 1984 after joining Contractor magazine. He spent more than three decades at the magazine, eventually becoming senior director of content for Penton Media Mechanical Groups, which included Contractor and its many supplements, sister publications Contracting Business and HPAC Engineering, related digital properties and the publishing company’s annual Comfortech conference.
As a freelance writer, his work appeared in many major industry publications, including PHC News.
He also served as editor of RSES Journal, the peer-reviewed technical publication of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.
Throughout his career, he focused on green and sustainable technology, codes and standards, and the issue of safeguarding public drinking water. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an A.B. in American Studies with a Communications Concentration.
Last modified: March 1, 2021