I write with the sad news that our beloved colleague Bob Cooter passed away on Monday, September 8. Bob joined the Berkeley Economics faculty in 1975 and the Berkeley Law faculty in 1980 and was an integral part of the JSP Program. He was a pioneer in the field of law and economics, serving as a founding board member of the American Law and Economics Association and later as its president. In the many years I was privileged to work with Bob, I got to know him as an eminent economist, a devoted teacher and mentor, and a wonderful colleague.
I will share details about a memorial being planned for Bob at the law school as soon as I have them. In the meantime, please hold his wife Blair and all his loved ones in your thoughts.
In sadness,
Sarah
Dear Berkeley Law Community,
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I am writing to inform you that our beloved colleague Bob Cooter passed away on Monday, September 8. Bob has been an invaluable member of the Berkeley community for the last half century, having begun teaching in the Department of Economics in 1975 and joining the Berkeley Law faculty in 1980. Bob was truly special and his loss to the Law School and to the Jurisprudence and Social Policy program is profound.
Bob was a great academic, mentor, teacher, and builder of lasting institutions like the American Law and Economics Association. His work on the economics of tort, contracts and property, intellectual property, public law, bargaining, and litigation was foundational. It earned him the fifth Coase Medal from the American Law and Economics Association, membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and countless awards. Bob literally taught the world law and economics through his co-authored textbook, which has been translated into many languages.
Bob was a brilliant man of many accomplishments, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment was what a blessing he was to all who knew him. Neither Bob's kindness, nor his devilish sense of humor will be soon forgotten. Bob was always curious, lively, and telling some wonderful story.
Bob is survived by his wife Blair, his children, John, Elizabeth ("Bo") and Joe (a Berkeley Law alum), their spouses, Michelle Cooter, Rodrigo Calderon, and Arielle Fleisher, respectively, and grandchildren Nathaniel and Ian Cooter, and Cordelia and Beatrice Flooter. I know I speak for our entire community in expressing condolences to Bob’s family.
Warmly,
Erwin
The memorial service to celebrate the life of Bob Cooter will take place this Friday, September 26, at 1:00pm in the Chevron Auditorium at International House. For those who can attend in person, please RSVP here.
We have created a memorial padlet page for Bob Cooter, so people can record their memories of Bob. if you remember and treasured Bob, I hope you will add a note to this.