Robert Weltner

Robert Weltner of Freeport is a man on a mission, someone dedicated to protecting and restoring the bays and waterways along the South Shore of Long Island. Weltner, 58, President of SPLASH since 2000, strives to make the world a better place to live and for all his efforts, the Freeport Leader is proud to name him its 2014 Person of the Year. 

Weltner grew up in south Freeport, spending his summers crabbing, fishing and boating on the back bays, explained his wife Kim. That love of the water never died and in 1981 he took his first steps to learn more about what lies under the sea by earning his scuba certification. 

Weltner did a lot of diving and exploring in those early years on his own and as a charter member of the Freeport Fire Department’s Underwater Search and Rescue Squad. He saw first hand how the bay bottom had deteriorated and that sea life was in trouble.

In 1990 he founded Bring Back the Bay in an effort to restore the life he had as a boy – fishing and clamming in the waters off of Freeport – the same life he wanted for his three sons, explained Kim. 

But fate stepped in when Weltner began working alongside other volunteers from another group interested in restoring the bays. These volunteer members of Operation SPLASH – Stop Polluting, Littering And Save Harbors, were picking up the garbage that washed into the bays and estuaries. It was a match made in heaven and when Operation SPLASH’s founder Tony Tarantino died in 2000, Weltner was elected as president of SPLASH. 

“I was already involved with SPLASH when Rob came along,” Don Harris, First Vice President of SPLASH said. “At first I was a little skeptical of his motives. But over and over again, he has proved to be a true steward of the environment.”

Stephanie Schner, Second Vice President of SPLASH agrees. “Everything he does is for the good of the environment without asking for anything in return,” she said. “He is one of the main reasons why I do what I do with SPLASH.”

“He is the least ego-driven person I know,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. She has known Rob for over 20 years and has worked alongside him on a number of environmental projects. “He combines humor with diligence, motivation and a good heart to get the work done.”

Indeed. Anyone who meets Rob is struck by his passion and dedication and of course there is his infectious laugh that puts people at ease. 

  “Rob has a real talent for engaging people and for honoring other people’s talents,” Devorah Weinman of SPLASH said. “He is a strong leader and he knows how to foster volunteerism amongst average citizens. He is someone who never sacrifices the mission of the organization.”

“You meet him and you love him,” said Schner.

By 2005 Weltner retired from his career as an electrician to focus on his passion – saving the bays. “He never went to school for environmental education but this is his calling,” said Kim. 

“Rob has a tremendous amount of knowledge,” said Harris. “He understands the material and knows how to present it in a way that is accessible to others. People genuinely want to listen to him.”

Under his leadership SPLASH has increased membership from 150 to 3500 people and expanded their number of chapters and boats from one to six, covering the entire south shore from the city line to Fire Island, reads his resume. More than a million and a half pounds of trash have been removed from the waterways. SPLASH has spearheaded a number of projects including upgrades to the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant and the redirection of the Jones Beach outflow pipe, as well as environmentally friendly bird and bat houses to control mosquito populations and the spread of West Nile Virus. SPLASH provides educational presentations for schools, clubs and organizations. Under Rob’s tutelage SPLASH has installed a debris trap at Mill Basin in Freeport and catch basin inserts along the Nautical Mile. There is also the installation of informational decals on storm drains throughout Nassau County.  Most recently, Weltner is the 2104 recipient of the Vision Long Island Smart Growth Award for Environmental and Historic Preservation and the 2103 recipient of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment Award.

Additionally Weltner is a member of the Wastewater Treatment Facilities Committee; co-chair of the New York State Committee Community Reconstruction Zone program; co-chair of the Citizen Advisory committee for the South Shore Estuary Reserve; Commissioner for the Conservation of the Environment for Freeport; treasurer and Ex-Captain of the Freeport Fire Department of Underwater Search and Rescue Squad. The list goes on and on.

“Rob’s expertise and dedication to protect and preserve the environment is commendable and the people of Nassau County are truly lucky to have such a dedicated professional applying his knowledge and time to such an important endeavor,” Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano said. “Non-stop dedication,” said Schner. “He gives 110 percent. Nothing is going to stop him.”

Weltner’s dedication begins at home. He is a loving father and husband. “My Dad is a great role model for us,” said Kevin, Weltner’s middle son, who spoke on behalf of himself and his brothers. “He is a natural born leader. We are very luck to have him as our father.”

“I knew right away when I met Rob 22 years ago he was a really special person,” said Kim. I had never met such a charismatic person with such an extraordinary amount of compassion and integrity.  He was destined for greatness and I was lucky to be the one by his side for the journey.  I’m so proud of all his accomplishments and even though he is so humble, I’m sure this honor will make him very happy.”