A Message from the President of Cal-ICMA: In Memory of Dr. Robert B. Denhardt

To my fellow public administrators across California,

I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Robert Denhardt, who passed away earlier this month on March 19, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona. Many of you knew Bob as a leading scholar in our field—one whose work on leadership, ethics, and public service helped shape modern public administration. For those of us lucky enough to have known him personally, he was also a gentle mentor, a thoughtful coach, and a warm, witty friend.

Bob was on my dissertation committee at USC and served as a leadership coach during some pivotal points in my career. One of my favorite memories is the time he visited my team in Palo Alto for a leadership session where he playfully titled his talk, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” In true Bob fashion, he posed a quiet but powerful question that stuck with all of us: “Is it possible to have leadership without power?” That question still guides me today—and I know many of you have your own “Bob-isms” that have stayed with you over the years.

I still keep a copy of his little red book, Just Plain Good Management, and I return to it often. It’s full of the wisdom and humility that defined Bob as a person. He had an unmatched ability to distill complex ideas into something both practical and deeply human—reminding us that good management, at its core, is about relationships, integrity, and service.

Professionally, Bob’s contributions are immense: more than 100 journal articles, 22 books, and an enduring impact on the field through his leadership at Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, and many other institutions. He was a past president of ASPA, a member of NAPA, and a Fulbright Scholar—but even with all these accolades, Bob remained grounded, gracious, and accessible. He saw the best in people and made you want to live up to that vision of yourself.

On behalf of Cal-ICMA, I want to honor the legacy of a man who touched the lives of so many California public servants—whether through his writing, his teaching, or a well-timed word of encouragement. He helped us all become better leaders, and better people.

Bob’s family will be hosting a celebration of life this summer in Nashville, and I know many of us will be there in spirit. He leaves behind a world of grateful students, colleagues, and friends.

Rest in peace, Bob—and thank you.

Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM

President, Cal-ICMA