Robert Ira Volk

Associate Professor of Legal Writing at Boston University School of Law, former director of the Lawyering and Advocacy Program (First Year Writing Program), died in his Brookline home on February 3rd, 2023 following a courageous ten-month battle with lung cancer. He was 71.

Robert had dedicated nearly his entire professional career to BU Law, his beloved alma mater, since graduating with JD, cum laude, in 1978. He shaped the professional development of generations of law graduates, who knew him as an innovative and compassionate teacher, a devoted mentor, or simply a generous friend with a shoulder to cry on. As the first openly gay faculty member at BU Law, he inspired many in the legal and moral pursuit of equality for sexual minorities. He sought to bolster and protect diversity in the student communities as longstanding chair of the Faculty Admissions Committee and faculty advisor to several minority student groups, such as OUTLAW and Black Law Student Association. The respect he enjoyed from faculty, staff, and students enabled him to represent and advocate for BU Law in the University-wide Faculty Council for two decades. A founding member of BU’s LGBTQIA Task Force, he was instrumental in the creation of the LGBTQIA+ Center on the Charles River Campus, a physical and virtual resource for faculty and staff who had struggled for representation in the past. Among the many awards and accolades from within and outside BU Law, he most cherished the Silver Shingle Award, which was given in 2013 to celebrate the long service he gave to his alma mater.

His passion for service and activism was evident beyond the rarefied sphere of legal education. He was an AIDS hospice buddy in the pre-HAART days of the epidemic. He also volunteered for Big Brother Big Sister of Eastern Massachusetts, as well as Brookline Food Pantry. A lifelong Democrat, he was active in the Beacon Hill Civic Association in the 1980’s. After moving to Brookline, he participated in local government as a multi-term Town Meeting member.

Robert is survived by Dr. Kit Mui, loving partner and husband of 24 years. Loving brother of Mitchell and William, and their respective spouses, Daniel and Leah. Loving uncle of Brendan, Bridget and Bryant, and godfather of Little Robert. Beloved by numerous cousins in New York, Florida and California. Most of all, his friends from near and far will miss him.

A private funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 12 at 10:00am, those wishing to view the service via livestream may do so by using the following link: http://www.tinyurl.com/RobertVolkService

A memorial service will be announced in the future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, or Brookline Food Pantry.