Tribute to Dr. Robert C. Spear

Tribute to Dr. Robert Clinton Spear

June 26, 1939 – July 7, 2025

Champion of Public Health, Visionary Founder of COEH, and Lifelong Mentor

With the passing of Dr. Robert C. Spear, we mourn the loss of a pioneering scientist, educator, and public health leader whose vision and dedication helped shape the field of occupational and environmental health in California and beyond.  Shortly after receiving tenure, Dr. Spear was chosen by UC chancellors to respond to California's legislation, AB3414, Chaper 1245, Statutes of 1978, to create a statewide center involving UC campuses in Northern and Southern California which came to be known as COEH.  He was charged with establishing a collaborative teaching and research program that would prevent the type of California occupational tragedy that occurred in 1978 when workers at a pesticide formulation plant were determined to be sterile from their exposure to DBCP, the pesticide they were formulating.  Dr. Spear was given two-years to foster viable programs at five UC campuses before the California legislature would convert the two-million dollar contract to UC into permanent funding for faculty and staff positions, and a permanent infrastructure for each campus.  

Over the years, as founding director of the Northern California Center (Berkeley, UCSF, and Davis) and mentor to the directors at UCLA and Irvine, Dr. Spear ensured that local campus deans did not view COEH funding as part of their individual departmental budgets.  He built and protected a distinct and separate five-campus interdisciplinary UC institution dedicated to occupational and environmental health that continues to thrive today.  He also left an indelible mark on COEH faculty, generations of students, researchers, and practitioners committed to protecting workers and communities from environmental and occupational hazards.

Dr. Spear, a professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, brought scientific rigor and deep moral clarity to his work. Trained in engineering, he turned his attention early in his career to solving real-world public health challenges—most notably parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis, where he combined innovative environmental modeling with a fierce commitment to global health equity. That same commitment guided his leadership at COEH, where he built some of the first academic centers in the country dedicated to interdisciplinary training, research, and policy development in occupational and environmental health.

Under his stewardship, COEH grew into a network of scholars, educators, and practitioners across the University of California system who have addressed some of the most pressing occupational health issues of our time—from chemical exposures and ergonomic hazards to environmental justice and disaster response. Dr. Spear emphasized a systems-level approach long before it became common in public health, always seeking to connect academic excellence with actionable solutions that protect the most vulnerable.

His public health work extended far beyond California. Over multiple decades, Dr. Spear developed a transformative research and capacity-building program in China focused on the control of schistosomiasis. In partnership with Chinese scientists and public health officials, he helped develop and implement strategies that integrated environmental management with disease control, significantly advancing efforts to reduce infection and improve public health outcomes. In recognition of his contributions, the Chinese government of Sichuan honored Dr. Spear with the Jinding Award in 2003 and the Friendship Award of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China in 2005, a prestigious national award and a testament to the global impact and deep respect of his work.  He was made an honorary citizen of Xichang County in 2009.

In addition to being the founding Director of the University’s Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Dr. Spear served as Associate Dean of the School of Public Health and of the College of Engineering at Berkeley.  Additionally, he has served on a variety of committees advisory to the government and to industry, as well as within the University. He was the Chair of the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate in 1999-2000 and received the Berkeley Citation in 2008 and the Berkeley Faculty Service Award in 2011. He has authored or co-authored over 150 papers in the scientific literature.

Equally powerful as his institutional leadership was his impact as a mentor. Dr. Spear inspired students and colleagues with his intellectual curiosity, humility, humor, and generosity of spirit. He guided countless graduate students through research and careers, many of whom now lead programs, direct agencies, or teach the next generation of public health professionals.  His mentorship extended far beyond the classroom—he was known for his thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and unwavering belief in the potential of others.

Robert Spear’s legacy lives on in the work of the Center he founded, the careers he shaped, and the lives protected through the science and policy he helped advance. The field of occupational and environmental health is stronger, more just, and more impactful because of Dr. Robert Spear’s leadership. We honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed—with integrity, evidence, and a commitment to equity. 

A celebration of life will be held on August 16th at 3:00 PM in the Heyns Room of the UC Berkeley Faculty Club. All who were touched by his life and work are welcome to gather in remembrance and gratitude.

May his memory inspire resilience and gratitude while his vision serves as a guide.

In the words of some of his prior mentees and colleagues:

I owe my career in occupational health and safety to Bob Spear. Without his encouragement and guidance, it would not have been possible for a 36-year-old U.S. History major to become a Master in Public Health in Industrial Hygiene.

Bob helped me identify the science courses I needed to take -- including the dreaded O-Chem at Berkeley summer school -- and he was my advisor at the UCB School of Public Health. Bob also opened doors for me -- and put in a good word or two -- at key points later on.

It would not be fair to hold Bob responsible for my OHS career -- and all the unhappiness it has caused California employers and state officials -- but it would not have happened without Bob Spear.

• Garrett Brown, MPH, Retired from CalOSHA, Field Compliance Officer, Special Assistant to the Chief of the Division

My best years at COEH were launching the green chemistry work with Bob, Suzanne Llewellyn and Meg Schwarzman between 2006 and 2013. We worked together to advance this new idea across the campus and in various legislative hearings, including in the U.S. Senate, while managing the opposition of the petrochemical industry. Bob was our essential advisor at every turn, defending us from critics, introducing us to friends, and opening doors. He was straightforward and strategic, unafraid of new ideas, ethically spot on and hilarious in his understated way. His advice invariably led to success.

I’ve carried his approach to problem-solving ever since: one that marries evidence and data with an understanding of what people actually need. At Cal/OSHA, Bob’s mentorship has served as my north star as we struggle to protect vulnerable workers across the state. He opened the door to this deeply meaningful work, and I’ll always remember him as I carry it forward.

• Mike Wilson, Senior Safety Engineer, CalOSHA Research and Standards Health Unit

Bob was a great mentor, for me personally. He was both wise and strategically savvy. He brought me over to Berkeley to take over the reins of the COEH from him, the founding director of the center, but kept control of the NIOSH Educational Resource Center training grant until he determined I was ready. After I became PI of the ERC, I often sought Bob’s counsel. I always felt supported by Bob and was truly honored that he had faith in me. He was the main reason I joined the SPH faculty. But he needed to use his cleverness to get me to realize that it was in my best interests. I was working hard as a clinician at SFGH in addition to running a lab and the SFGH Division of OEM. I initially said I couldn’t take on any more responsibilities at Berkeley. About a week later, Bob took me to breakfast and appealed to me as a first-time dad at 48 to reconsider because if I spent more time at Berkeley, I would have more time to be with my 2-year-old son. He then said I should use my appointment at Berkeley to get out of some of my clinical duties at SFGH – it worked, Talmadge King bought the concept.

After Bob’s wife Patty died, Bob organized a regular (~monthly) after work drinks and food get-together with several of us to keep his spirits up. I always loved those get-togethers and missed them when Bob moved out to Walnut Creek to live with Suzanne Llewellyn. Bob and Suzanne ran the COEH, ERC, and the Division of EHS like clockwork for many years. It is another example of Bob’s savvy that he knew he had a gifted administrator with Suzanne and never let her go.”

• Dr. John Balmes, MD, MPH, Professor, UCSF and UC Berkeley, Prior Director COEH

I first met Dr. Spear when I was interviewed for admission to the PhD program at UC Berkeley.  He had an incredible way of being casual yet pointed with his questions, which put me at ease while demanding thoughtful responses at the same time.  Over the years, he continued to provide insight and guidance.  He was always supportive and approachable, yet direct in his concerns and opinions about the future of occupational and environmental health during this new era of a willful denial of scientific evidence.  I often think of how he would approach some of today’s challenges and appreciate how his legacy continues to drive all of us at COEH to find pathways forward to meet the current and future occupational and environmental health challenges.

• Carisa Harris, PhD, Professor, UCSF, Director COEH, UC Berkeley