ForeverMissed
Large image
His Life

Robert Howard Stanley's Life

September 1, 2021
Professor Emeritus Robert H. Stanley, Bob, who taught in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice for 31 years, passed away on August 16, 2021.He was 68. 

Hired into the Department in 1989, Stanley was an important asset to the Legal Studies program.Among the classes he taught were Vital Political Problems; Law, Politics and the Distribution of Justice; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and Foundations of Constitutional law.He imparted his legacy on thousands of students through the years, many of whom began their program coursework with his “Introduction to Legal Studies” and ended it with his “Senior Seminar in Legal Studies.” He used film creatively to give the historical context of law to enrich students’ perspective of current legal decisions.Using the Socratic Method in his classes, he challenged his students to develop their analytical skills that well prepared many of them for success in law school. He committed himself to delivering the same high-quality education he himself received; believing that if he brought his best to the classroom, students would—and did—rise to the occasion.

Born February 13, 1953 in Santa Monica, California, he and his family returned to their roots in the Kansas City area.He earned his B.A. in Philosophy at Texas Christian University in 1975, then his J.D. at University of Texas School of Law in 1978, and since 1978 he maintained his membership in the Texas State Bar. He earned his Ph. D. in History, at University of Virginia in 1986. 

From 1982-1987 Stanley served in several positions at Brown University including Director of the Center for Law and Liberal Education.He served as Visiting Assistant Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire, 1987-1988 and University of Texas at Arlington, 1988-1989. 

Professor Stanley began teaching at CSU, Chico in 1989, and he retired in 2015, but continued to teach under the FERP program until 2020. 

While at CSU, Chico, Professor Stanley was a long-term chair of the Department’s RTP committee managing hundreds of candidates’ files with a dedication to helping his colleagues advance in their careers.He made sure that the process was transparent and provided critical mentorship to his committee members and candidates. He also advocated for a CSU systemwide catastrophic leaves donation program that, once enacted, allowed thousands of employees to receive donated sick time from their peers. 

Stanley’s book, Dimensions of Law in the Service of Order: Origins of the Federal Income Tax, 1861-1913 (Oxford University Press, 1993), was described as “a tour de force” “highly sophisticated, tightly argued and thought-provoking” and “Full of insight.”All tributes that aptly describe his research and work in the classroom.An accomplished scholar, he was also known for his wit and ability to find humor in nearly everything, as well as his capacity for love and compassion.

Professor emeritus Teddy DeLorenzo remembered Stanley for his “wit and dry sense of humor, with which Bob was able bring light to a difficult situation, usually by asking, “What are we going to do about this?”DeLorenzo added: “In addition to being an inspiring teacher, Bob was a loyal friend and colleague.He left an indelible mark on those of us he enveloped with his big hugs. What a pleasure it was to have taught beside him for the 31 last years to see how much he loved his students and how much his students were inspired by him.His loss is profound.”  

Professor Diana Dwyre notes that Bob Stanley was one of the first colleagues she met when she came to Chico State in 1997, and “he was a cherished friend and mentor, a confidant and trusted colleague. He inspired his students by challenging them to fully develop their critical thinking skills, and he brought his colleagues together to pursue our shared goals. Bob was witty, fun and intense, and I will miss our passionate conversations about politics, history, music and movies. He will be greatly missed.”

Professor Emeritus Ed Bronson, who founded the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) in 1970, expressed his gratitude for what a strong supporter Stanley was of program, and said he helped facilitate countless law school careers. 

“Best of all, he was a wonderful colleague and friend,” Bronson said. “We ate lunch together for 30 years, almost never missing a single date. He would be the first one that I would always talk with about CLIC, my classes, and of course the San Francisco Giants.”  

“Professor Stanley’s intense love of the law and commitment to civil rights was apparent the moment I walked into my first class on the first day of my legal studies,” said graduate student Ann Wilson.“His incredible knowledge, his amazing provenance, and his passion for teaching resonated with me as it did with all of his students, inspiring us to learn, reason, and advocate. It is an honor to call Professor Stanley a mentor, and more importantly, a friend. His absence makes the world a lesser place.”

MPA student Jackie Noble (BA POLS 2019) remembered Professor Stanley as “a very sensitive, passionate teacher. He cared about his students, the material he taught, and above all, making a difference in young lives. He loved to tell us about baseball and was so excited to retire so that he could spend more time watching the games. He always had time to stop and chat and made us feel like we could come to him for anything. He left a lasting impression on us all and will be greatly missed.” 

During retirement Professor Stanley returned full force to his love of music.He wrote and recorded original songs and cover songs of the musicians he loved, including the Eagles and Bob Dylan.He also enjoyed sharing time with his friends, roasting his own coffee beans for the perfect cup, and cooking chili. 

He is survived by his dear brother Bill and his cousin Nancy and her husband Fred with whom he was very close and her children Laurel Eisler and Lee White. He was predeceased by his parents James P. Stanley and Ruth L. Stanley. He is also survived by his cousins Ruthann Siebert and son Andy Siebert, Roy Browne and daughter Rachel Browne Cassapia, and Jay Harder. No services are planned.

Family and friends invite remembrances to be shared on his online memorial page https://www.forevermissed.com/robert-stanley/aboutand have started a GoFundMe to raise funds to create a University tribute in his name. Information about designation for memorial contributions is available at https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-tribute-to-bob.

The University flag was lowered Thursday, September 9, in his memory.