Robert W. Batchelder, 66, of Chula Vista, CA, a 15-year employee of APTA who retired in 1996 as chief counsel and deputy executive vice president-government affairs, died Aug. 12 in San Diego.

Batchelder joined APTA in 1981 as staff counsel. He was promoted in 1983 to chief counsel and executive director-management services, and to his final post in 1989. He retired from APTA due to illness.

Batchelder also worked to help business members become more involved in association policy and led the industry through implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Before coming to APTA, Batchelder joined the former Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now Federal Transit Administration) in 1975 and rose to assistant chief counsel for litigation and opinions. He came to DOT in 1974 through its Honors Program, which brings successful recent law school graduates to the department for two years. In 1977, he received DOT’s Lawrence Schneider Award, presented annually to the department’s most promising young attorney.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Public Transportation Foundation.