Robert "Bob" Pullano

Robert "Bob" Pullano, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away at home on Friday, May 2nd, at the age of 62.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Bob was a proud Italian-American, the son of the late Joseph Dominick and Jane Iannitti Pullano. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1980 and went on to attend Southampton College, Long Island University, graduating with a major in Biology and a minor in Marine Science in 1984. Bob shared his love of music as a DJ at the campus radio station, WPBX, where he hosted jazz and classical music programs.

On the second day of college orientation, Bob met the love of his life, Linda O'Connor. The two were inseparable from that day forward, and were joined forever in marriage in 1987.

After college, Bob went to work for the US Fish & Wildlife Service as a National Fisheries Observer on Polish fishing vessels in the Pacific Ocean, from Seattle to Alaska. Following that experience, Bob and Linda relocated to her home state of Massachusetts, where he joined GHR Engineering Laboratories as an Environmental Analyst, working on multiple EPA Superfund sites.

In 1988, Bob and Linda moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where he joined General Engineering Laboratories (GEL). He spent 35 years at GEL, working his way up to the Director of Quality Systems. In this role, Bob was responsible for ensuring that GEL was properly accredited for the important work they did with the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, nuclear power utilities, and others. He was an instrumental part of the Leadership Team that grew GEL from a small company to the largest single source environmental laboratory in the nation.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Bob was a member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and actively contributed to the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC). He served as an ambassador for the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, helping to shape standards and practices in the field. Bob was also a founding participant in Water Mission, a non-profit organization established in 2001 by George and Molly Greene, the founders of GEL, to bring safe water solutions to under-privileged communities around the world.

Above all, Bob was a devoted family man and friend. In addition to his 38 year marriage to Linda, he was a loving father to his sons Robert and Christian, and grandfather to Delilah. Bob was the quintessential "big brother", not just to his siblings Bill, Gia and Joe, but also to his brother-in-law Eric O’Connor and many family members and friends. He shared his kindness, warmth and generosity with everyone he met, putting others first always.

Bob was a man of faith and service. He was an active member of Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island and a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he enjoyed fellowship and giving back to his community.

Bob was also a devoted dog dad to his beloved Tucker, Maya and Jewel, who brought him much joy and companionship.

Bob is survived by his wife Linda, son Christian (Alicia) of Charleston, granddaughter Delilah, siblings William (Karen) of Syracuse, Gia Underhill (John) of Westford, MA, and Joseph (Jennie) of Matawan, NJ, and twenty-one nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his father Joseph and mother Jane, son Robert, nephew Michael and niece Anna.

Visitation Services will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025, with the rosary starting at 5:30 pm and the family receiving friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd. The funeral service will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, at Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Water Mission (www.watermission.org) to honor Bob’s legacy of bringing safe water to those in need.

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