Robert S. Holbrook, former assistant provost and professor emeritus of economics at LSA, died May 15 at the age of 88 after a life of distinguished scholars and service to the University of Michigan.
Holbrook was born on June 30, 1932. In 1961 he received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Francisco and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in 1964 and 1965 at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined UM in 1965 as Assistant Professor of Economics and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1970 and Professor in 1975.
Holbrook has been a generous mentor to many. Jim Adams, Shorey Peterson Professor, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Professor of Economics, wrote: “In 1973 when I came to the Department of Economics, Bob Holbrook reached out to me immediately and warmly to help me face the challenges master that faced a new member of the junior faculty. It was easy and instructive to see him in action administratively, first in the department and then at LSA and the Provost Office. I attribute Bob’s longevity as an administrator to his distinctive and impressive combination of clarity, rigor, independence, and fairness. He knew how to focus on the right problems. He also knew how to choose the right solutions. ”
Holbrook left academic economics for academic administration in the late 1970s and served as deputy dean of the LSA from 1978 to 81. What was initially a brief service grew into a nearly two-decade career of exceptional importance in which economics lost someone special for the benefit of the entire university community.
In 1981 Holbrook was named Vice President for Academic Affairs in the Provost’s Office and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has held a number of administrative positions including assistant vice president for academic affairs, interim director, and assistant director. Bob served as the primary budgetary advisor to five provosts on academic affairs for 17 years, working tirelessly to ensure that academic priorities adequately influenced both budgetary and financial decisions.
“As Associate Proost for Budget, Bob has been a strong advocate of the idea that UM would be best served by a budget and budgeting system that is organized so that resources are primarily devoted to academic activities,” said Paul Courant, Edward M. Gramlich Distinguished University Professor of Economics and Public Policy Emeritus, provost emeritus, Harold T. Shapiro College Professor of Public Policy Emeritus, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Emeritus Professor of Information. “He was the primary advisor to a number of provosts including Billy Frye, Jim Duderstadt, and Gil Whitaker. Gil once told me that when he was offered the post of provost, the first thing he did was to ensure that Bob was willing to remain as an associate provost for cost reasons. “
Holbrook resigned from active faculty status on January 31, 2000. In addition to his distinguished academic career, Bob will be remembered for his significant contributions to the development and restructuring of the UM budget.
– Submitted by the Office of the Provost and Executive President for Academic Affairs
