Robert Reed Benedetti

Robert (Bob) Reed Benedetti passed away on February 26, 2026. Born in San Francisco, Bob grew up in the Bay Area attending Palo Alto High School. He went on to Amherst College majoring in English and Political Science. After graduation, he spent a year at Union Theological Seminary in New York. When deciding he wanted to be a professor, he attended the University of Pennsylvania for his Master's and PHD in Political Science. 

He spent his life teaching undergraduates political science. He began as a tutor at New College of Sarasota Florida, eventually becoming Provost of the College. A high point of his tenure was teaching in Florence, Italy. He went on to become the Dean at the College of the Pacific at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He viewed his greatest accomplishments implementing general education with the faculty of the College. Later, he became founder and director of the Jacoby Center for Public Service and Civic Leadership. 

During his retirement, he was an active participant in the Sacramento State Renaissance Society Program, teaching classes on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, political parties and the Constitution. He edited a book called Imagining the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta that focused on Delta heritage and culture. He was a strong supporter of the humanities and volunteered with his alumni group from Amherst on various projects. 

When Bob was not working, he was spending time with his family and many friends. His love for his family was infectious. He was always teaching them new things, caring for them in their time of need, and had a flair for making holidays special. He will be remembered for his caring heart, his steadfast morality, and his ability to let everyone around him shine. 

Bob is survived by his wife if 58 years, Susan, his daughter Beth, his sister Linda Spady (Mark, Matthew, and Megan, Mike and Molly) and his sister-in-law Laurie Considine (Duncan, Sean and Rachelle, Jessica) and families. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Laurel. 

Memorial Gifts may be given to The Dean Robert Benedetti Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of the Pacific at pacific.edu/BobBenedetti