In Memoriam: University of California President Emeritus and Former University of California San Diego Chancellor Robert C. Dynes
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of University of California President Emeritus and Former University of California San Diego Chancellor Robert C. (Bob) Dynes, on June 30, 2025. He was 82.
A first-generation college graduate and globally renowned physicist, Dynes served as the 18th president of the University of California system between 2003 and 2007, and sixth chancellor of UC San Diego from 1996 to 2003. He was passionate in his commitment to service and scientific discovery, and distinguished himself as a champion for educational opportunity for students from all backgrounds. An active research physicist until his death, Dynes’ long and prolific career within the University of California system was notable for advancing the university’s reputation for innovative, impactful research aimed at solving society’s biggest challenges; expanding connections between science and industry; and nurturing a culture of institutional accountability.
Dynes joined UC San Diego as a Professor of Physics in 1991 after a 22-year career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he served as department head of semiconductor and material physics research and director of chemical physics research. He served as chair of the Department of Physics and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UC San Diego before being named as Chancellor of the university in 1996.
Dynes contributed significantly to the growth of UC San Diego during his time as chancellor. He is credited with significant growth in student enrollment; establishing the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rady School of Management and Sixth College; increasing research expenditures by 36 percent; launching the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CALIT2) in partnership with UC Irvine; increasing income from technology transfer by 76 percent and spearheading UC San Diego’s first successful $1 billion fundraising campaign.
He also played a key role in the establishment of The Preuss School UC San Diego, a unique charter middle and high school on the UC San Diego campus for low-income scholars who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college. Founded in 1999, The Preuss School has consistently been recognized as one of the best high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
“Bob Dynes touched so many lives personally and professionally. It was one of my career highlights when he appointed me to serve as chancellor of UC Irvine,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. “His bold vision and unwavering commitment to academic excellence positioned the University for national impact and future success that is still evident today. His legacy will live on through new opportunities for students to access a world-class UC education.”
As a distinguished member of UC San Diego’s faculty, Dynes founded an interdisciplinary laboratory where chemists, electrical engineers and private industry researchers, joined by graduate and undergraduate students, collaborate to investigate the properties of metals, semiconductors and superconductors.
Dynes also served as vice chair of the University of California President’s Council on the National Laboratories and a member of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Oversight Board. In addition, he had longstanding association with the national laboratories as an adviser and consultant.
Dynes’ numerous scientific honors include the 1990 Fritz London Award in Low Temperature Physics. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1989. He was a fellow of the American Physical Society, the Canadian Institute of Advanced Research and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Dynes earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Western Ontario and master's and doctorate degrees in physics from McMaster University.
A Lasting Legacy
Together with his wife, Ann Parode Dynes, Dynes established the Robert C. Dynes and Ann Parode Dynes Scholarship, designated for undergraduate students conducting research in physics. He also played a key role in helping raise awareness around the need for undergraduate scholarships and encouraging others to join in supporting future generations of students.
Dynes is survived by his wife, Ann Parode Dynes, daughter Victoria and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Dynes’ honor be directed to support The Preuss School UC San Diego. A memorial tribute event will be held on the UC San Diego campus at a later date.
Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor
Joan and Irwin Jacobs Chancellor’s Endowed Chair
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Source: https://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/Notices/2025/2025-6-30-4.html.
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From the San Diego Union-Tribune: ...[Dynes] achievements didn’t go unnoticed by the UC Board of Regents, which chose him to succeed Atkinson as the system’s president in 2003. It was a difficult moment in the UC’s history. The state was facing a huge budget deficit that led lawmakers to slash the university system’s funding to help stabilize the state’s finances. It was also facing political turmoil. In a recall effort, voters removed Gov. Gray Davis from office and replaced him with actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with whom Dynes had a deep friendship. That friendship helped Dynes, along with others, to negotiate a compact with Schwarzenegger that stabilized and eventually increased funding for the UC and California State University systems — but that also faced criticism from students and families for ushering in significant fee hikes.
Dynes also prevented the UC from losing the right to manage and operate two national laboratories that were being scrutinized for safety and security problems. And in 2005 he oversaw the opening of UC Merced, the first new UC campus in a generation. That same year he made another move that proved consequential — appointing Michael Drake chancellor of UC Irvine. Drake would later become the first Black president of the University of California system.
...But Dynes’ tenure leading the university system also was marked by controversy, notably a scandal over executive compensation that surfaced in 2006. A state audit revealed that the UC’s system for paying top managers and professors was filled with irregularities, including the awarding of pay or perks without proper approval. Dynes introduced changes in an effort to fix the problems. But his handling of the matter cost him the support of some members of the Board of Regents and the state Legislature. In August 2007, he announced that he would step down the following year. He didn’t attribute the decision to the scandal...
Full obituary at https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/02/robert-dynes-who-built-a-research-power-at-uc-san-diego-and-led-uc-system-dies-at-82/.
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