ROBERT GREENE Obituary

GREENE, Robert Allan Of Cambridge, died on March 24, 2025, at the age of 93. Bob was born in Dorchester on November 6, 1931 and was a "Triple Eagle", graduating from Boston College High School and earning two degrees from Boston College. He received his PhD in English from Harvard University in 1961 and was a retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Boston at the time of his death. He taught in the Department of English there from 1980 until 2001 and served as Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 1980 to 1987. He previously taught at the University of Toronto from 1958 until 1980, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science for five of those years. In 1962-63, he was a Leverhulme Fellow at Durham University in England. His research in the history of ideas dealt with the Cambridge Platonists of the seventeenth century, the language of natural law and Thomas Hobbes. Outside of his research and teaching, Bob had many interests and enthusiasms. He loved books and theatre and classical music and found great joy in his 50s in assuming the role of head chef in the family kitchen. He dabbled in wood-working and enjoyed photography and was always up for a game of Scrabble or watching the Red Sox. He was fond of tennis but even better at ping-pong and he was a master in the art of conversation and letter-writing. His humor, patience and interest in the world and people around him were limitless and his calm and loving presence will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Bob leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Mary (Mahoney); his son, Robert; daughters, Helen and Priscilla; and son-in-law, Chris. He was predeceased by his son, Merrill. He was an engaged and devoted grandfather to Samuel, Neil, Lucinda and Dorothy and always delighted in hearing of their endeavors, the books, letters and clippings he was so fond of sending were a testament to this. In accordance with his wishes, Bob's body was donated to Harvard Medical School and there will be no services.

View the online memorial for Robert Allan GREENE