Remembering Professor Robert A. Sedler
Wayne Law community reflects on Professor Sedler's passing
The Sedler family has requested that memorial gifts be made to the Professor Robert Sedler endowed scholarship fund. Gifts can be made by clicking here or by check mailed to:
Wayne State University
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5700 Cass Ave, Ste 1200
Detroit, MI 48202
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Dean Richard A. Bierschbach
Today we mourn the loss of Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus Robert A. Sedler who passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Professor Sedler joined the Wayne Law family as a faculty member in 1977 and, since then, played a pivotal role in shaping generations of lawyers in Constitutional Law. An institution unto himself, Professor Sedler was a remarkable mentor, educator, and friend. His passing is a great loss to the entire legal community.
Bob’s career was remarkable even before coming to Wayne Law. In 1963, he and his wife traveled to Ethiopia and helped to establish the first law school in the country. After that, Professor Sedler was a professor of law at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. While there, he argued, and won, two cases before the United States Supreme Court – in 1970 and 1974.
In 2005, Bob was elected to the Wayne State University Academy of Scholars, the highest recognition that may be bestowed upon Wayne State University faculty members by their colleagues. In 2024, Professor Sedler was also selected for induction into the Wayne State University Law School Wall of Fame. These are but two of many recognitions and awards Professor Sedler received throughout his lifetime.
Bob was a respected and brilliant legal scholar, renowned for his litigation of civil rights and civil liberties cases including those surrounding racial discrimination and same-sex marriage. He was held in high regard by all those who knew him—and there were many. He was frequently sought after to provide commentary or offer his expert opinion on matters concerning the constitution. In April 2019, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel appointed Sedler as special assistant attorney general in her office, where he advised on matters related to constitutional and civil rights law. He also published extensively in his fields, and law books and journals are filled with citations to his works by courts and academic commentators.
Over the last 47 years, Professor Sedler left a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the profession. We will remember him for his wisdom, enthusiasm, and fairness. His commitment to his profession and the constitution was both tireless and joyful, and we will miss him deeply.
Gyi Tsakalakis
Wayne Law Alumni
Professor Sedler was a remarkable educator and has left an enduring legacy. I am so grateful to have benefitted from his wisdom and generosity.
Jeffrey Rogg
Wayne Law Student
This man was a GIANT in legal education in Michigan. I consider it a privilege to have taken several classes from Professor Sedler at Wayne State University Law School; his debates with Prof. Joseph Grano (another towering figure in legal education), were the stuff of intellectual legend. I had the privilege of visiting with Professor Sedler a few years ago at a Wayne Law dinner; he was his usual jovial self and asked after my career progress. He was proud of the success of his innumerable students, who will carry on his legacy, with pride and affection. May his memory be a Blessing. Xo.
Todd Schiffman
Wayne Law Alumni
I had Professor Sedler for Constitutional Law I and II and also Conflicts of Law. While he is known throughout the US legal community for his expertise in Constitutional Law, his Conflicts class was one of my favorites in Law School. Professor Sedler was even a better person. While he was not a fan of Ronald Reagan, I recall his reaction to President Reagan being shot. He opened class and said in a quiet voice that the President had been shot. He said he thought there were more important things than continuing with class and he dismissed us for the day. What a man, what a life.
David Canine
Wayne Law Alumni
I had Prof. Sedler for Con Law I, II and Conflicts. He was my favorite and there were numerous outstanding faculty at the time at WSU Law School. When I think of my Wayne Law School experience, I think of him. I did not understand at the time why we spent two weeks on Korematzu. Now I do. A student one time asked him why he only practiced in federal and not state court. His response: “I don’t like to lose.” I thought that was fantastic. May his memory be a blessing.
Susan Gwizdz
Professor Sedler shared his expertise with Next members at our Speaker Series several times over the years. We were honored to have him as a distinguished speaker and will miss his way of making us all think and his way of getting back to the most important issues at stake and why they are important. I especially appreciated when he shared his personal feelings about many issues. Bob's wife was by his side and was a steadfast supporter. Deepest sympathies to Professor Sedler's family and friends. Thinking of you all at this difficult time with gratitude for Professor Sedler.
Michael Steinberg
Wayne Law Alumni
I am deeply saddened by the death of Bob Sedler, my Constitutional Law Professor for Life. Bob was the most influential professor I had during law school. His excitement for civil liberties and civil rights was so palpable I dubbed him “the Dick Vitale of law professors.” He often spoke during class of the groundbreaking ACLU cases he worked on as a volunteer attorney. Bob was an invaluable resource for me when I was hired as the legal director of the ACLU of Michigan at age 37. He would always take my frequent calls and he would always give me confident answers to my questions off the top of his head (and, remarkably, he was correct the vast majority of the time!) We litigated a few cases together early in my tenure at the ACLU and I continued to learn from him long after graduation. Now that I’m a law professor, I try to channel a little Bob Sedler into my teaching. My goal is to to have a fraction of the influence on my students as Bob had on his students. I’m eternally grateful to Bob. I, along with the hundreds of his students who are working for social justice, will do my best to carry on his legacy.
Ruthanne Okun
Bob was an amazing person and friend. I loved talking with him and "picking his brain." He (along with his beloved Roz) was a treasure trove of knowledge. It was always a joy and an opportunity to talk with and to learn from both of them. Even though Bob had a brilliant mind, he never made me feel "less than," and no question was left unanswered. Bob will be sorely missed by so many.