Robert W. Denney

Robert W. Denney died October 19, 2021, at age 89.

Bob Denney graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 with a B.A. degree in English Literature. He later did post-graduate work at the Wharton School towards an MBA in marketing and management.

After graduating from Penn, Bob served two years in the Navy and became Executive Officer of his ship, the USS Tallahatchie Country. Upon completion of his active duty he joined the family business, Frances Denney Cosmetics, rising to President in 1964. During his tenure, the company grew rapidly and became recognized as one of the hottest cosmetic lines in department and specialty stores such as Wanamakers, Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bob worked closely with Congress and various regulatory agencies. Along with Ralph Nader, he testified before a Senate sub-committee chaired by Ted Kennedy.

In 1974, Bob founded Robert Denney Associates, Inc., a firm that has specialized in providing management, marketing, and strategic planning expertise to over 800 law firms, offices, and legal organizations throughout the United States as well as in Canada and the Caribbean. Bob wrote or co-authored seven books and wrote more than 100 articles on management, marketing, and strategic planning. His articles and interviews appeared in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, Inc. magazine, the ABA Journal, and Philadelphia Inquirer. For 29 years he published monthly Legal and Corporate "Communiques" including the internationally distributed annual report on "What's Hot and What's Not in the Legal Profession.”

Bob was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in 1999. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, a past Director of the Legal Marketing Association, and was elected to LMA’s Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Board of several corporations and nonprofit organizations and was active in many business, community and charitable organizations. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, 8 of his 9 children, and 18 grandchildren.