In Memoriam: Robert C. Dynes

“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.”

Dynes was a distinguished physicist and lifelong champion of education who oversaw the opening of the first new research university in a generation at UC Merced and worked to align the University of California’s mission with the needs of the State of California.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bob Dynes,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “He embodied the ideals of education, research and public service that are foundational to UC San Diego. His visionary leadership and deep commitment to academic excellence and the success of undergraduate and graduate students will continue to inspire us for generations to come. For me personally, I will miss his friendship, mentorship and the support he has shown me ever since I arrived at UC San Diego.”

A first-generation college student, Dynes earned his doctorate and became an expert on semiconductors and superconductors. He spent 22 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories, serving as department head of semiconductor and material physics research and director of chemical physics research.

He then joined UC San Diego as a Professor of Physics in 1991. He also served as chair of the Department of Physics and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UC San Diego. He was named UC San Diego Chancellor in 1996 and continued his physics research and teaching while serving in the campus’ top leadership role.

During Dynes’ time as UC San Diego Chancellor, student enrollments grew 25%; the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rady School of Management were established; Sixth College was established; outreach programs to public schools in the region were expanded; research expenditures increased by 36%; the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CALIT2) was launched with UC Irvine; income from technology transfer increased 76%; and the campus’ first $1 billion fundraising campaign began, which successfully met its goal in 2007.

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.

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.

At UC San Diego, he founded an interdisciplinary laboratory where chemists, electrical engineers and private industry researchers, joined by graduate and undergraduate students, investigate the properties of metals, semiconductors and superconductors.

Dynes had numerous scientific honors including 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.

Providing Opportunity for Future Generations

A self-described "lower middle-class kid who almost chose an ice hockey career over college," Dynes grew up in London, Ontario, Canada. He expressed that his life had been transformed by access to education and he was dedicated to providing similar opportunities for future generations of students. 

During his time as UC San Diego Chancellor, he established the Triton 5K (formerly Chancellor's Challenge 5K Run/Walk for Scholars) which has raised more than $4 million for undergraduate scholarships since 1996. He challenged the student body that he would personally give $25 for every student who finished ahead of him.

“You can’t imagine how many students came to beat me,” said Dynes once as he recounted the event. “In those days I was pretty fast, so not as many beat me as thought they would … but it was a camaraderie among the students.”

Dynes also set a special challenge for the Associated Students president each year: if the student won, he or she got a barbeque provided by Chancellor Dynes. If the student lost, they had to wash the Chancellor’s car. Dynes only provided one barbeque during his time as chancellor – and he often had a clean car after the annual race.

Following his tenure as Chancellor and UC President, Dynes served as a trustee of the UC San Diego Foundation Board from 1996 to 2020. He also served on the Center for Brain Activity Mapping Advisory Board and the International Leadership Committee Campaign from 2016-2020. He served on the Board of Directors and Finance and Budget Committee for The Preuss School UC San Diego until his death.

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.

Speaking about undergraduate students, Dynes once said: "I believe their education is the single most important thing that this university does, and their future achievements will be our most lasting legacy.”

Dynes is survived by his wife, Ann Parode Dynes, daughter Victoria Martino, three grandchildren and sister Donna Dynes. 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 will be held on campus at a date yet to be determined.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT UC SAN DIEGO »