Robert Polhemus
Dec. 12, 1935-Aug. 30, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Robert Mackinlay Polhemus, 90, died peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 30, 2026. Rob was born at the Stanford Hospital on Dec. 12, 1935 and lived in the Bay Area all of his life. He grew up in then-rural Danville and attended the University of California at Berkeley where he earned both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees.

Rob was the Joseph S. Atha Professor of Humanities, Emeritus, having served on the faculty of the Stanford English Department for 47 years (1963–2010). He was an inspiring and enthusiastic professor and was invited to serve two terms as chair of the English Department. He also served as chair of the Faculty Senate. His scholarly interests were in 19th-century British literature – especially the novel; 20th-century British fiction; the visual arts (including film); and cultural psychology. Rob’s major publications include: Lot's Daughters; Erotic Faith; Comic Faith; and The Changing World of Anthony Trollope.

In addition to his academic interests, Rob loved body-surfing at Stinson Beach and hiking in the Sierras; Willie Mays and Steph Curry; Makarova and Baryshnikov; Fred and Ginger and the Marx Brothers; Paris and Grenada; Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles; the Yosemite “fire fall” and Monet’s waterlilies; and the mosques of Iran and Gothic cathedrals.

Rob is survived by his large extended family: his wife, Mary Munter; his children Camilla Ford (John), Mack Polhemus, Josiah Polhemus (Amy), and Andromeda Garcelon (Rob); their mothers Elizabeth Vezzani and Rebecca Reynolds; grandchildren Emma, Mary, Josiah, Heidi, Zephyr, and Lillian; stepdaughters Julia and Lauren; and many nieces and nephews.

His children fondly remember his oft quoted life advice, “Talk in voices, listen to jazz, root for the underdog, and talk to strangers.”

Tags: teacher/educator