Legends of Labor
Hall of Fame
Legends of Labor
Hall of Fame
Bio details
Robert T. Heenan
Business Manager,
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local #542 (30 Years)
First General Vice President, International
Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) (10 years)
-Bob Heenan was born and raised in Philadelphia.
-Even as a young man, he always knew the difference between right and wrong, and was willing to put himself at risk to defend our freedoms.
-Bob joined the Army at the ripe old age of 14.
-He lied about his age because he wanted to join the fight against the Axis of Evil.
-He served as an MP in Japan with the US Occupation Forces and even guarded General Hideki Tojo before he was executed.
-He served for three years during World War II before being honorably discharged.
-Bob returned from the war and brought that sense of service to our Union when he joined Local #542, where he started a long career as an operating engineer and Labor Leader.
-He was an active member of Local #542 for over 70 years.
-He was Business Manager for 30 years and led this union with distinction and dedication unmatched by any Labor Leader in the Nation.
-Bob spearheaded innovative advances in apprentice training programs that put Local 542 members at the very top of our trade.
-He helped pull Local 542 out of serious and challenging financial difficulties that could have destroyed the union and worked hard to make Local 542 a leader in inclusion by creating career opportunities for minorities and women that had not previously existed in our trade.
-Bob always had a special concern about making sure Local 542 members and their families had the best health care possible. He included in that range of benefits help for veterans and members with mental health, drug, and alcohol problems.
-Bob Heenan also served as the first General Vice President of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) for 10 years.
-Bob was a devoted family man who was married to his wife Mary for 70 years, together they had 5 children Karen, Mary Ann and John; devoted grandfather of Mary Beth, Amy, Bobby, Katie, Jack and Grace and great grandfather of 15.