USA Truck has announced the passing of longtime chairman Robert Peiser on May 22 from cancer, at age 70.

Peiser served on the Board of Directors from 2012 until May 21. He was appointed chairman of the board in November of 2012. He is being succeeded as chairman by Alexander D. Greene.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Bob’s passing Wednesday night,” said James D. Reed, president and chief executive officer of USA Truck. “He was an inspirational leader and fierce advocate for USA Truck - unmistakably direct, intensely competitive and a tough but reasonable business person who balanced that toughness with incredible humor and compassion.”

Peiser served in a variety of executive roles in his career including as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Omniflight Helicopters, chief financial officer of Trans World Airlines and president CEO and director of Imperial Sugar Company.

“Bob was the consummate professional and best board member I ever met," said Reed. "He was unflappable and even tempered in tense situations and unmatched in his logic and reasoning - he saw clearly among ambiguity and confusion – it was his ‘Jedi skill.’”

Peiser graduated with an Economics Degree from The University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served on a number of public and private boards and was passionate about the Houston Symphony, the Texans, and his beloved Astros.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, four children, two step sons and eight grandchildren.