Robert L. Hernandez ’69

Bob died April 10, 2025, while visiting his ancestral home in Belgium. He was a passionate warrior for civil rights and social justice.

Bob was president of the Student Council at Toms River (N.J.) High School, editor of the yearbook, and a wrestler. At Princeton, he majored in Public and International Affairs, foreshadowing a life devoted to public service. He was president of Whig-Clio and once had dinner with Muhammad Ali before hosting Ali’s appearance on campus. Bob was a member of Charter and active in the UGA. An exceptional student, his roommates still can’t believe how quickly he turned out papers that got A grades. Bob graduated from both Princeton and Harvard Law with honors.

As a single practitioner, Bob litigated a host of cases resulting in significant decisions. Typical clients were workers who suffered discrimination, victims of police violence, and people with disabilities. Taking his litigation experience into classrooms, he taught law school and undergraduate courses with a focus on Hispanic people and the law. He was a proud recipient of the Soaring Eagles Award for lifetime achievements in civil rights; he founded and was president of the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys; and he helped lead a successful effort to encourage Princeton to offer Latino studies.

Bob is survived by his wife of 14 years, Elena; daughters, Camille Clasby and Persephone Hernandez-Vogt; grandchildren, Thomas, Sam, and Josselyn Clasby; and stepchildren, Karla Mojica Perez and David Mojica Perez. The class offers them its sincere condolences.