URGENT UPDATE: Rev. Dr. Robert W. Blaney, a prominent figure in social justice and theological education, has died at the age of 94 in Santa Cruz. He passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and education that spanned decades.
Blaney, who received his Masters in Divinity and a Doctorate in Theology from Boston University School of Theology, began his ministry in 1958. He served as a pastor at the Brentwood Methodist Church and Los Feliz Methodist Church in Los Angeles before dedicating 30 years to teaching at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. There, he shaped the minds of countless students through courses on Social Ethics, Biomedical Ethics, and the intersection of Christianity and Communism.
Throughout his career, Blaney led several educational tours to Europe, including significant studies on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Christianity in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was a key figure in the Religious Studies Department, serving as chair for many years until his retirement in 1996.
Beyond academia, Blaney was a passionate advocate for social justice, championing causes for farmworkers, the LGBTQ community, and oppressed minorities. His work included liaising between the Annual Conference and the National Committee on the Church and Higher Education, a role that helped establish the Council of Bishops’ Scholarship Program, alongside Bishop Talbert.
After retiring, Blaney and his wife, Laurel, moved to the Santa Cruz area, where he remained actively involved with the Aptos United Methodist Church. He chaired an ecumenical retreat for retired clergy and their spouses, continuously contributing to his community.
Blaney is survived by his beloved wife of over 63 years, Laurel, and their daughters, Martha and Joy, as well as grandchildren David, Elizabeth, and Isabella. The couple met in Maine, where their journey together began.
A memorial service is scheduled for December 27, 2025, at 11 AM at Aptos United Methodist Church, where friends and family will gather to celebrate his impactful life and legacy.
As the community mourns the loss of Rev. Dr. Blaney, his contributions to social justice and education will continue to inspire future generations. This sad news resonates deeply, marking the end of an era for many who knew him and benefited from his teachings and advocacy.
