Falls Church, Va. - R.L. “Bob” Kreutzer, president of Tatro Plumbing in Garden City, Kan., has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the World Plumbing Council. The award, which was presented during the 8th World Plumbing Congress in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 24-27, recognizes the efforts of an individual or organization that has contributed to the council's mission of uniting the world plumbing industry to safeguard and protect the environment and the health of nations, for the benefit of all.

Kreutzer, former president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (1991-1992), became involved with the WPC in the 1990s, when the organization was just beginning to formalize its structure. At the request of the first elected chairman of the WPC, Kreutzer oversaw the creation, presentation and adoption of organizational structure, bylaws and administrative procedures that continue to serve as the foundation of WPC today.

When elected as WPC's second chairman, Kreutzer worked to increase membership and participation. He also successfully got the WPC involved in the waterborne disease eradication efforts of the World Health Organization of the United Nations. Kreutzer chaired the first formal meeting between the two groups and laid the groundwork for a relationship that still serves WPC and the people of the world today.

PHCC nominated Kreutzer for the award. “Bob Kreutzer truly earned this award given his commitment to bringing international plumbing organizations together in initiatives to protect the environment and health of all nations,” said Jim Finley, president of PHCC. “I commend the WPC for his selection.”