URGENT UPDATE: Rev. Dr. Robert W. Blaney, a beloved theologian and educator, has died at the age of 94 in his home in Santa Cruz, California, on November 3, 2025. This loss resonates deeply in the communities he tirelessly served over his distinguished career.
Blaney, who was born in 1931, dedicated his life to social justice and education. After earning his Masters in Divinity and a Doctorate in Theology from Boston University, he began his ministry in 1958 in Southern California. He notably served as pastor at the Brentwood Methodist Church and the Los Feliz Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
For the past 30 years, Blaney was a fixture at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he taught courses such as Social Ethics and Biomedical Ethics. He was renowned for leading educational tours across Europe, including significant studies on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Christianity in Eastern Europe prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
As a champion of social justice, Blaney advocated for farmworkers, the LGBTQ community, and oppressed minorities. His contributions included serving as a liaison between the Annual Conference and the National Committee on the Church and Higher Education, helping to establish the Council of Bishops’ Scholarship Program alongside Bishop Talbert.
Following his retirement in 1996, Blaney and his wife, Laurel, moved to Santa Cruz, where he continued his commitment to faith and community at the Aptos United Methodist Church. He chaired an ecumenical retreat for retired clergy and remained active in various community initiatives.
Blaney is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Laurel, their daughters Martha and Joy, and grandchildren David, Elizabeth, and Isabella. He passed away peacefully at home, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication.
A memorial service is scheduled for December 27, 2025, at 11 AM at the Aptos United Methodist Church. The community and friends are invited to honor his memory and contributions.
The impact of Rev. Dr. Blaney’s work continues to inspire countless individuals, and his passing marks a significant loss for those who knew him and the many lives he touched.
