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.
