Robert “Bob” M. Stein, a distinguished political scientist whose work shaped public policy and civic life at Rice University and KHOU 11 Houston analyst, died July 18 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 75.
“Bob was the political analyst on KHOU-TV for more than 40 years," Houston accountant and TV analyst Bob Martin told mikemcguff.com. "For those of us who did regular bike rides with him, we were fortunate to have front row seats to hear his detailed explanations as to how the local political landscape was evolving and why the voting patterns of Houston and all of Harris County were changing.”
A Rice faculty member for 46 years, Stein retired on June 30, 2025, after remaining actively involved in research, teaching, and public service through his final semester. He held the Lena Gohlman Fox Professorship of Political Science, a title designated emeritus upon his retirement. Over the decades, Stein served as dean of the School of Social Sciences, chair of the political science department, and a fellow in urban politics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Widely regarded as a leading expert on voting behavior, local government, and emergency preparedness, Stein’s research was regularly supported by the National Science Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and other major institutions. His work informed election policy and public programs across the U.S., and he was a trusted source for local and national journalists alike. His incisive, data-driven commentary appeared on KHOU 11, in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and numerous Houston media outlets — earning him a reputation as one of the region’s most respected political voices.
“Bob Stein was a towering figure whose passion for research, teaching and public service left an indelible mark on Rice and our city,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches. “His work exemplified how universities can drive meaningful change in the world around them. We will deeply miss his wisdom, generosity and steadfast commitment to empowering our students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens.”
“Bob Stein has been my friend and adviser for decades. He has served this community well,” former Houston Mayor Bill White said. “He has been a leader in community engagement among all academic experts in all fields. He helped the city of Houston in numerous ways when I was mayor. He has inspired thousands of students. Political and civic leaders have sought his counsel often. And he was a model for lifetime learning and fitness. He was a dedicated husband and father. And, though it may not be appreciated, he was a trailblazer in popularizing bicycling in our region — though he was hard to keep up with even after his diagnosis.”
In 2025, Rice honored Stein with the Y. Ping Sun Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, recognizing his lifelong commitment to public service. He was instrumental in founding Rice’s Center for Civic Engagement — now the Center for Civic Leadership — integrating experiential learning into the undergraduate curriculum and encouraging students to take on real-world challenges.
“Bob was indefatigable in everything he did,” said Rachel Kimbro, dean of social sciences. “His passion for his research, teaching and advocacy had no limits and was constantly expressed, often with his trademark laugh.”
Stein’s collaborative work with students led to numerous applied policy projects, including hurricane evacuation planning and public library strategy. One standout initiative — a partnership with the Houston Public Library — revealed through data analysis that patrons often visited branches along their commutes rather than those nearest to home, helping the city make more equitable renovation decisions.
In 2024, Stein made headlines for his advocacy outside academia, speaking at a Houston City Council meeting against the removal of a protected bike lane near his home. Framing his comments around public safety, his remarks went viral and contributed to halting further removals. “That experience reminded me that sometimes the best lesson is to show up and speak out,” he reflected in a later interview.
In one of his final appointments, Stein was named co-director of Rice’s newly launched Center for Voting, a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at improving election administration and expanding access to the democratic process.
Born in New York City in 1950, Stein earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He briefly taught at the University of Georgia before joining Rice in 1979.
He was the author of Urban Alternatives: Public and Private Markets in the Provision of Local Services and co-author of Perpetuating the Pork Barrel: Policy Subsystems and American Democracy. His scholarship earned top honors from the American Political Science Association and Political Research Quarterly, and he was a two-time recipient of Rice’s George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching.
Services will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. at Temple Emanu El. A campus celebration of his life and legacy will follow this fall.
