Robert Blair Stobaugh (15 October 1927 – 14 August 2017)[1] was an American educator noted for his research into energy economics and corporate governance.
His first job as a chemical engineer was at the Standard Oil of New Jersey (Esso) Refinery in Baton Rouge.
While with Monsanto, Stobaugh realized that top managers typically had earned technical degrees, but had little training in business administration and economics.
[2] In that same year, he led an HBS research team studying the relationship of overseas investment by American businesses and the U.S. economy.
He recruited a team of Harvard students and faculty who also had knowledge and experience in energy issues, political science and technology.
Stobaugh was later quoted as saying, “Our goal was to produce a plain English book that would provide a framework for thinking about the energy future.... We wanted to relate not only to academics, but also to the general public and people in the political world who were making key decisions.” The book received widespread publicity even outside academia and became a best seller.
He continued to serve on several corporate boards and two non-profit organizations, the Alliance to Save Energy (Washington, DC), and the French Cultural Center,(Boston).
First, he bought and renovated an abandoned former 16th Century silk factory, then later moving to a garden apartment in Aix-la-Provence.
He enjoyed a more laid-back lifestyle there visiting markets and vineyards, while the lack of other interruptions give him time to write.