Robert James "Bob" Stephens
June 3, 1931-Sept. 13, 2022
Menlo Park, California
Robert James “Bob” Stephens passed away peacefully in his home in Menlo Park on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 after a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on June 3, 1931 in London Township, Ontario, Canada, he was the fifth child of Lawrence James Melville Stephens and Mary Gertrude (Mossop) Stephens. He is survived by his children Robert L Stephens, Susan L Stephens, and James W Stephens; his grandchildren Alison de Geus, Aimee (de Geus) Thomas, James Stephens, Jr. and Valerie Stephens; and his great grandchildren Josephine and Sebastian Thomas. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Lola Marie (Mathews) Stephens, his parents, his siblings Frances Bertha Velma (Stephens) Bond, William Henry “Harry” Stephens, John Lawrence “Jack” Stephens, Earl Thomas Stephens and Gertrude Laureen (Stephens) Wells, and a 2-day old daughter.
Bob attended Medway High School in London, Ontario and completed his high school diploma in Los Angeles in 1951. He held a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pepperdine College, a Master’s Degree in embryology/histology from University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in cell biology from Cornell University, as well as having completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. As one of a handful of scientists trained to use an electron microscope, Bob was engaged in research at SRI International, formerly Stanford Research Institute, where he published over 125 academic papers, many focusing on chronic lung diseases, particularly emphysema as related to air pollution.
Bob was politically active in Menlo Park, first joining a concerned citizens coalition opposing the Willow Expressway, then running for city council. He served on the city council from 1971 to 1980 and was mayor from 1979 to 1980. During his time on the council, Menlo Park implemented a local mini-bus service, and improved recreational and arts programs.
Bob explored various interests over the course of his life. He sang from a young age and began performing on CFPL Radio in London, Ontario as a teen. He met the woman who would eventually become his wife, Lola, performing in the Mikado at Pepperdine. He also sang in other productions such as The Magic Flute, Little Red Riding Hood, and Bastien und Bastienne. He pursued small business entrepreneurship with the local restaurant Pear Williams, which he ran with his wife, and Tech-Star Industries, a small manufacturing company, with his son James.
After his retirement, Bob dedicated himself to championing the achievements and lasting impact of Charles Darwin. Bob was co-founder of an effort to promote a “Darwin Day” in the late 1990s, and as a result of Bob’s efforts, Darwin Day is now recognized internationally. In his later years, Bob enjoyed annual summers in Oxford, England with Lola, spending time in the city that saw the important Huxley-Wilberforce debate at the Oxford History Museum.
Bob was a steadfast father and grandfather and will be missed by his family, who take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace and reunited with his bride, Lola Marie.
There will be a graveside service Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at curealz.org.
Tags: public service
