Dr. Robert Dardenne, an associate professor of the USF St. Petersburg Journalism and Media Studies program, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 17. He was 66.
In his 22 years at USFSP, Dardenne taught and inspired many a young journalist.
He served as chair of the department twice during his tenure, most recently for four years before returning to the classroom full time last fall. He planned to retire next year.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., he received his a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, a master’s degree from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Before teaching, he worked for newspapers in Louisiana, Mexico City, New York and Washington D.C.
In 1999, he spent a year teaching in China through a Fullbright Fellowship, an international education exchange program.
Dardenne co-authored “The Conversation of Journalism” with G. Michael Killenberg, the founding director of the USFSP JMS department. He published many articles regarding topics of similar nature.
Last year, he helped found the USFSP branch of Kappa Tau Alpha, a nationally recognized journalism honor society, with former student Mallory Speir.
He sat in his office on the second floor of Peter Rudy Wallace with the door wide open, often with his feet propped up on his desk. Popping in to say hello always ended in a long, meandering chat.
His students and colleagues will miss his soft-spokenness, signature laugh and kind, animated eyes. Some might have a recent email from him saved, written in all caps, of course.
To his colleagues, Dardenne was a leader and loyal friend. To his students, he was a role model and someone to confide in.
Friends and former students gathered on the USFSP waterfront Sunday, Oct. 19, for an informal toast in Dardenne’s honor. Another memorial will be held in the PRW courtyard at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The USFSP community is invited to attend.
The Crow’s Nest staff has the Dardenne family in their thoughts.
Dardenne, Bob D., BD; he will be greatly missed.
Students, colleague and friends of Dr. Robert Dardenne offer favorite memories and personal goodbyes here.
