In Memoriam: Charles B. Kaiser Jr., WEF President 1990–1991

Charles B. Kaiser Jr., Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) president from 1990 to 1991. WEF Archives photo.

Charles B. Kaiser Jr., Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) president from 1990 to 1991, died July 1 at the age of 89. Kaiser joined WEF in 1962 and was a life member.

Kaiser graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law (Columbia). He worked at the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), first as city counselor and later as general counsel. During his career, he helped author the federal Clean Water Act and was president of the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, currently known as the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA; Washington, D.C.), according to his obituary.

In addition to serving as president of WEF, Kaiser also was president of the Missouri Water Environment Association (MWEA) and belonged to MWEA’s Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers. The society recognizes members for outstanding service to the organization.

Kaiser’s fellow MWEA members remember him as an articulate and respected leader who cared greatly about the wastewater treatment industry, both at a local and national level.

“Chuck was a pillar of the wastewater community,” said Bob Campbell, WEF and MWEA member.

Chuck Kaiser receives a plaque honoring his service as WEF president in 1992. WEF archives photo.

“He was a man capable of navigating the politics of MSD and the city … a leader bringing national attention to the Midwest, a person with a hearty ‘hello’ and a joke regardless of where he saw you, but most of all, one driven to bring the best to St. Louis,” said Bob Steiert, WEF and MWEA member.

“The MWEA, WEF, NACWA, MSD, and all organizations and the wastewater industry in general owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Chuck for his many years of service to our profession,” said John Reece, WEF and MWEA member. “He will always be remembered as a great leader.”

“Chuck was one of the original sludge shovelers, but more importantly, he was a natural leader, a gifted and knowledgeable speaker, and always had a joke,” said Ed Rackers, MWEA member. “When Chuck spoke, you listened and learned while being entertained. We lost a great one.”

— Jennifer Fulcher, WEF Highlights