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They did not have to follow in his footsteps. David Roskelley would be proud regardless.

But as he looks across the table at two of his sons, he admits there is a sense of satisfaction in seeing them trace the path that led to so many of the good things that have happened in his life.

“It brings me great joy,” he said, “to see these guys wanting to do this.”

Roskelley’s sons, Porter and Drake, are embarking on careers in occupational and environmental health and safety. And they are beginning their journeys as master’s students in RMCOEH’s Industrial Hygiene program — the same program that laid the foundation for Roskelley to build a successful consulting business, make an impact on others, and, ultimately, find deep fulfillment in his work.

That Porter and Drake would make their way to RMCOEH, or pursue occupational and environmental health and safety at all, wasn’t always a foregone conclusion. Despite David’s success, neither grew up with their sights set on following him into the profession. That changed in recent years, though, as they completed their undergraduate studies and began to understand the importance of finding a stable, worthwhile career — a reality that crystalized foreach of them after getting married.

“Their wives kind of said, “Hey, you guys, this is a good opportunity here. So you need to really focus on this,’” said David, who earned his master’s degree at RMCOEH in 1997. “Sometimes it takes another person to kind of step back and say, ‘Look at this. You're missing this.’”

David is grateful his daughters-in-law provided that nudge. He sees occupational and environmental health and safety not only as a means to earn a healthy living but as a way to make a meaningful difference in other people’s lives. Given that, his sons’ eagerness to join him in the profession is particularly gratifying.

“I wish there was a way to pull back the curtain and see how many people you impact when you get to the end of your 30 years or 40 years,” David said. “I wish you could look back and say, ‘Well, you prevented this many cancers, you prevented this many injuries, you prevented this many fatalities.’ We of course can't do that, but it would be so cool to see that. But you know that the impact is there regardless and that grandchildren get to enjoy grandparents because of something you did.”

Likewise, the ability to serve others has been a significant motivating factor for Drake and Porter— as was watching their father’s commitment to helping people through his work.

“I think what my dad does is a super honorable thing, protecting people, helping people to have the best quality of life possible and making sure no one's getting sick or injured on the job,” Porter said. “It's an honorable endeavor that’s contributing to the greater good of the world. I think it's a great thing to be doing.”

That sense of purpose is now steering Porter and Drake’s future. And if occupational and environmental health and safety figuratively became the Roskelley family business when the brothers enrolled in RMCOEH’s Industrial Hygiene program, it will be so in a literal sense at some point following their graduation next spring. The plan is for them to work for the company David co-founded, R&R Environmental, after they earn their degrees, then gain equity in the business at some point after acquiring their Certified Industrial Hygienist credentials. One day, years from now, David envisions stepping aside from the firm and letting his sons take the helm.

That, he said, would be the fulfillment of “the American dream” — though he has always made it clear to his sons that, if they want to become part of the business, they have to earn it.

“I told them several times that they can do whatever they want — I want them to be happy — but they can't turn 35 and then say, ‘Hey, you know, this or that career path didn't work out so I’m going to come work for the company. I'll be there tomorrow,’” he said. “It's not that simple. They’ve really got to have their certification and educational background. They've bought in, they're showing that they're willing to do this and go through something very difficult.”

For their part, Porter and Drake understand how fortunate they are to have the opportunity that their father is affording them. They also are grateful for the prospect of growing into their careers alongside one another. They are aware of the horror stories that sometimes result from family members going into business together but say their close bonds assuage any such concerns.