For decades, Stein was one of Houston’s most trusted political voices.
HOUSTON — Robert “Bob” M. Stein, a renowned political scientist who spent 46 years at Rice University and became one of Houston’s most trusted political voices, died Friday after a brief battle with cancer. He was 75.
Stein was also a KHOU 11 political analyst.
Stein retired from Rice University in June after holding the Lena Gohlman Fox Professorship of Political Science and serving in multiple leadership roles, including dean of the School of Social Sciences. He remained actively engaged in research, teaching and public service through his final semester.
The influential professor transformed public policy education through hands-on partnerships that bridged campus and city hall. His research on voting behavior, emergency preparedness and local government was frequently funded by the National Science Foundation and Pew Charitable Trusts, informing election policy nationwide.
“Bob Stein was a towering figure whose passion for research, teaching and public service left an indelible mark on Rice and our city,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “His work exemplified how universities can drive meaningful change in the world around them.”
Stein became a go-to resource for political journalists locally and nationally, with his data-driven analysis regularly appearing on Houston newscasts and in outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR.
Former Houston Mayor Bill White praised Stein’s community impact: “Bob Stein has been my friend and adviser for decades. He has served this community well. He helped the city of Houston in numerous ways when I was mayor.”
In 2025, Stein received Rice’s Y. Ping Sun Award for Outstanding Community Engagement. He played a central role in founding the university’s Center for Civic Engagement — now the Center for Civic Leadership — and embedding experiential learning into the undergraduate curriculum.
“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 commitment to student-driven research led to numerous applied projects, from hurricane evacuation planning to public library strategy. In one notable example, he led a student team that partnered with the Houston Public Library to reimagine branch renovation priorities. Their analysis revealed that people often used libraries along their daily commute rather than those closest to home, helping city leaders make more equitable decisions.
A lifelong cyclist, Stein made headlines in 2024 after speaking at a Houston City Council meeting about the removal of a protected bike lane near his home. His public safety-focused comments went viral and helped stall additional removals.
“That experience reminded me that sometimes the best lesson is to show up and speak out,” he said in a recent interview.
In one of his final appointments, Stein was named co-director of Rice’s new Center for Voting, focused on improving election administration and expanding democratic access.
Born in New York City in 1950, Stein earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He joined Rice’s faculty in 1979 after briefly teaching at the University of Georgia.
He authored “Urban Alternatives: Public and Private Markets in the Provision of Local Services” and co-authored “Perpetuating the Pork Barrel: Policy Subsystems and American Democracy.” His scholarship earned top honors from the American Political Science Association, and he was twice awarded Rice’s George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching.
Stein is survived by his wife, Marty; their daughters, Nora and Annie; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. at Temple Emanu El. A campus event to celebrate Stein’s legacy will be held this fall.