“The law school was Bob Weiss’ passion,” Trustee Colleen McNamara, an MSU trustee since 1995, said in the release. “He envisioned that concept and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it a reality.”

Weiss lived in Grand Blanc and had been serving as the Genesee County Chief Probate Judge since 2002.

“He had a very sharp legal mind, and we often turned to him for guidance on a variety of issues,” McNamara said in the release.

Weiss is remembered as an avid fan of MSU sports, particularly the men’s basketball team. He was a close friend of former head coach Jud Heathcote and played a role in hiring current head coach Tom Izzo in 1995.

“Team MSU has lost a visible and valuable friend,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said in the release. “But MSU always will be grateful for the lasting impact of his leadership and friendship.

“Bob had many titles as a public servant, but for him, ‘Spartan’ always headed the list.”

Trustee Melanie Foster, who served with Weiss in the early 1990s, said Weiss was “particularly in tune with student issues” during his tenure.

“He will be sorely missed by the MSU family; it was a pleasure to work with him.”