Mr. Zegeer received his bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering in 1944. After two years in the U.S. Army Engineers, he joined Consolidation Coal Company in Jenkins, Kentucky. The mines were sold to Bethlehem Steel in 1956, and he became Division Superintendent. He retired as Manager of Beth-Elkhorn Corporation in 1977. Mr. Zegeer was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety & Health in 1983, serving in this capacity until retiring again in 1987 to return to private consulting.