RTC Mourns Loss of Former Commissioner Dr. Robert Quinn


The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is saddened to announce that former Commissioner Dr. Robert Quinn passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 22, 2024. Dr. Quinn was dedicated to public service and served on the RTC from January 2022 to December 2024 as the alternate to former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend. He was also a medical doctor at Dominican Hospital for 30 years and the CEO of Dignity Health Medical Foundation for the past four years.
“It would be hard to find someone with more grace, class and intellect than Dr. Quinn. Not only did he elevate the regional transportation discussion, but he elevated the broader discourse and civility. His loss is immense, but his legacy is even larger,” Friend said.
During his three years on the Commission, Dr. Quinn was a strong advocate for the transportation needs of the region. Dr. Quinn provided support for a number of planning studies and projects to address the vital transportation needs of the community, including the Watsonville to Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program, the Coastal Rail Trail, and Soquel Drive multimodal improvements, while always being mindful of the responsibility to the needs and resources of the community. Dr. Quinn provided unique insight and perspective to transportation in our region, with a focus on public health, fiscal sustainability, and emergency response. His leadership in our community will be greatly missed.
“Dr. Quinn brought reason and perspective to the RTC,” said RTC Commissioner and Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig. “His dedicated service on the Commission demonstrates just how much he did for our community.”
The RTC extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Quinn’s family and friends during this difficult time. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA. Read Dr. Quinn’s obituary here.
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