UPDATE: The community mourns the loss of Rev. Dr. Robert W. Blaney, who passed away peacefully at home in Santa Cruz on November 3, 2025, at the age of 94. Dr. Blaney dedicated his life to ministry, education, and social justice, leaving a profound impact on countless lives.
Dr. Blaney’s academic journey began with studies in Mexico, Geneva, and Berlin, culminating in his Masters in Divinity and Doctorate in Theology from Boston University School of Theology. He began his ministry in 1958 in Southern California, serving as pastor at the Brentwood Methodist Church and the Los Feliz Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
For three decades, Dr. Blaney was a beloved professor at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he taught critical courses in the Religious Studies Department such as Social Ethics, Biomedical Ethics, and Human Sexuality and Christianity. He led educational tours across Europe, exploring significant themes like the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the dynamics of Christianity and Communism in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Dr. Blaney was a staunch advocate for Social Justice, championing rights for farmworkers, the LGBTQ community, and oppressed minorities. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Council of Bishops’ Scholarship Program alongside Bishop Talbert and served on various committees within the Conference, including the Board of Ordained Ministry.
After retiring in 1996, Dr. Blaney and his wife, Laurel, settled in Santa Cruz, where he continued to serve the community at the Aptos United Methodist Church. He was actively involved in organizing retreats for retired clergy and their spouses.
Dr. Blaney is survived by his loving wife, Laurel, and their daughters Martha and Joy, along with grandchildren David, Elizabeth, and Isabella. The couple met in Maine and shared over 63 years of marriage.
A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2025, at 11 AM at the Aptos United Methodist Church, providing an opportunity for the community to celebrate his remarkable life and legacy.
As tributes pour in, Dr. Blaney’s contributions to education, social justice, and community service will not be forgotten. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those he inspired throughout his lifetime.
