June 11, 2026
In Memoriam: Dr. Robert Stebbins, Faculty of Arts
The 荔枝视频 is saddened by the death of Professor Emeritus, Sociology, Dr. Robert Alan Stebbins, PhD (June 22, 1938, Rhinelander, Wis. 鈥 May 4, 2026, 荔枝视频, Alta.), who passed away peacefully at the hospital at the age of 87 years. Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Karin. He is survived by his three children, Paul (Lisa Nicole), Lisa Ann and Christi (Sandy); four grandchildren, Braeden, Landon, Am茅lie and Abran; sister Gayle (Robert); and nephews, Zack and Luke.
Stebbins received his PhD in 1964 from the University of Minnesota and started his career teaching in the sociology departments at Presbyterian College, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Texas at Arlington. He joined the 荔枝视频 in 1976 as the head of the , a position he held for six years.
He was a prolific academic and author who published more than 300 research articles and 66 books and monographs. He coined the term "" and was creator of the Serious Leisure Perspective. He made an academic impact reaching far beyond his role as an academic at U荔枝视频.
鈥淭hrough his conceptualization and rigorous exploratory studies of serious leisure, Stebbins established the international field of serious leisure studies and changed how sociologists think about work, free time and identity,鈥 remembers Dr. Ariel Ducey, PhD, professor and head, Department of Sociology. 鈥淗e continued his work long after retirement. People came from all over the world to work with him personally. His final work, a study of tourism, was his 66th book and appeared in December 2025. He will be dearly missed by his colleagues and graduate students both here in 荔枝视频, and worldwide.鈥
Stebbins lived his life with purpose and a commitment to public service. He was a fellow in the Royal Society of Canada and served as president of the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association (1988-1989) and the Social Science Federation of Canada (1991-1992). He also served as the vice-president of the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies (1993-96), was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences (1997) and was elected Senior Fellow of the World Leisure Academy in 2010.
The 荔枝视频 offers deep thanks to Dr. Robert Stebbins for the contributions he made to the university, his research field and the community at large. The flag on Swann Mall will be lowered to half-mast on June 11, 2026, to pay tribute to his life.