It is with profound sadness that we bid farewell to Mr Robert (Bob) Hazard Edwards, a very special friend and ardent supporter of the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Bob left us on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in Newcastle, Maine, at the age of 90. He was not just an esteemed educator and institution builder; he was a beacon of compassion, kindness, and integrity whose impact will resonate for generations to come.
Bob had a deep, enduring connection to AKU and the broader AKDN. He was deeply committed to improving the quality of life through development of education and healthcare institutions in the developing world. He played a pivotal role in shaping AKU during its formative years, setting a course that would elevate the University to its esteemed position today.
From 1986 to 1990, Bob served in the Secretariat of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, heading the Social Welfare Department. In this capacity, he was instrumental in overseeing the establishment and expansion of AKDN’s network of schools, hospitals, and community health programs in Asia and Africa.
As a Trustee of AKU for fifteen years, across two appointments (1987–1990 and 1999–2011), Bob made invaluable contributions to the Board, profoundly impacting AKU's establishment and performance. His insights and strategic guidance buoyed efforts of the Board and management to meet the University's vision and propelled its academic development.
He was conferred the title of Trustee Emeritus by the Founding Chancellor, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the mission of uplifting communities in the developing world.
Beyond AKU, Bob served as the thirteenth president of Bowdoin College and the seventh president of Carleton College, earning acclaim for his visionary leadership, particularly in the liberal arts. He strengthened academic programmes, invested in faculty development, and improved the financial health of these institutions.
His accolades include honorary degrees from Carleton College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, and the University of Maine, alongside accolades recognising his distinguished service on boards such as the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Born in London, England, and raised in Middletown, Ohio, Bob was an extraordinary individual. He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University and earned law degrees from both Cambridge University and Harvard Law School, leaving an indelible mark on education and public service on a global scale.
Bob’s legacy is not only found in the institutions he helped build but also in the profound kindness he extended to everyone he encountered. His warmth, respect, and generosity were felt by all, and he had a remarkable ability to make every person feel heard and valued. Bob’s loss is deeply felt at AKU and across AKDN, where his influence continues through the knowledge generated, the lives touched, and the generations empowered.
Bob is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth and Daphne, and his sister, Barbara. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Blythe Bickel Edwards, in 2024, and by his son, Nicholas Hazard Edwards, in 2011.
Bob Edwards was a true gift to our community, and he will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his memory inspire us to carry forward the values he embodied: compassion, integrity, and a dedication to the betterment of humanity.
