Remembering Former Dean Jacob Robert "Bob" Dorfman (1937-2025)
University of Maryland Physics Professor Emeritus Jacob Robert "Bob" Dorfman died on August 27, 2025. A native of Pittsburgh, Dorfman grew up in Baltimore and received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate at Johns Hopkins University. After three years of postdoctoral research at the Rockefeller University, he was appointed assistant professor of physics at UMD.
During his time in College Park, he served as director of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology; dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences; and vice president for academic affairs and provost. He returned to teaching and research in 1992 and retired as an emeritus professor in 2005.
"The entire University of Maryland community extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Dorfman's family, friends and colleagues," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. "Dr. Dorfman's contributions to the university were substantial and wide-ranging, from serving as a dean and as provost to chairing a committee focused on improving student academic outcomes. He played a critical role in laying the foundation for our institution to achieve excellence, and we are grateful for all he did to advance the university."
Dorfman enjoyed visiting professor appointments at the University of Utrecht, Rockefeller University and The Technion in Haifa, Israel. He authored over 100 scientific papers and books on statistical thermodynamic and chaos theory. His most recent book, Contemporary Kinetic Theory of Matter, written with Henk van Beijeren and T. R. Kirkpatrick, was published in 2021.
In addition to his scientific work, Dorfman studied art history, specializing in 17th century Dutch art, and continued to serve on thesis committees in recent years.
