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(News story) Dr. Robert E. Shanahan, a plastic surgeon who recruited several fellow physicians to the Toledo area and an accomplished Dixieland jazz musician who was a renowned trombone player, died Monday. He was 86.
The family did not release the cause of death.
Dr. Shanahan helped people through his medical practice while also inspiring people with his musical talent, friends said.
"He was a dedicated surgeon," said Rick Grafing, a friend for 35 years. "But hearing him on the trombone was second to none .... He was a great guy."
Born Feb. 21, 1931, to Edward and Phila Shanahan in Charlevoix, Mich., his father's naval career moved the family around, but Dr. Shanahan attended high school in Charlevoix while his father was assigned to the Pacific Fleet in World War II.
After graduating in 1948, he studied civil engineering for two years before switching to pre-medical studies at the University of Michigan. He married the former Mary Lou Moss on June 25, 1954, shortly before enrolling in Michigan's medical school, where he graduated in 1958.
He completed a one-year surgical internship at New York Hospital, and then a four-year general surgery residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.
In 1963 he joined the general surgery staff of the Burns Clinic in Petoskey, Mich, and later completed a plastic surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, before rejoining the Burns Clinic.
He moved to Toledo in 1982 and became clinical associate surgery professor at the former Medical College of Ohio in 1983.
During that time he also opened a private practice and recruited several plastic surgeons to the Toledo area. He served as the section head of plastic surgery at Toledo Hospital from 1989 until 1993.
Aside from his medical career, Dr. Shanahan was an avid vegetable gardener and a Dixieland jazz musician who recorded with the Boll Weevil Jass Band in the 1960s and '70s and founded the Epsilon Jass Band.
"He was really gifted," said John Grafing, who played with Dr. Shanahan in the last few years of his life. "He probably rivaled some of the best in that style of music. He was definitely top 10 in the country."
Last month, Dr. Shanahan was playing trumpet and singing with Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland at Sodbuster Bar in Sylvania.
He was known throughout Dixieland jazz circles for his outstanding trombone skills but later in life he transitioned to playing the trumpet.
"Not only was he a world class trombone player he was also a terrific band leader and stage personality," said Rick Grafing. "People couldn't wait until he jumped in with us and played."
Surviving are his daughters, Mary Kim Pagels and Kathleen Van Gorp; sons, Edward Shanahan and Robert Shanahan Jr.; brother, Bruce Shanahan, and seven grandchildren. His wife died in 2011.
Visitation is 2 p.m. Sunday followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. at Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania.
The family suggests tributes to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation or to ProMedica Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
5 Entries
Our deepest sympathy to Bob's family. He was a joy to be around . May he rest in paradise with your mom at his side.
The Dutch Maids
Kelly Pickard
January 2, 2018
RIP my cousin Bob....you were so talented smart and funny...I wish I could have gotten to know you better
Lynne Shanahan
December 31, 2017
Our deepest sympathy Kim, Mike, Becca, Robby, Annalou and to all the Shanahan family. Prayers and positive thoughts going up from Texas. We know your Dad and Papa will be greatly missed but also know you have many wonderful memories. Love, MaryLou, Jim and Amanda
MaryLou Moore
December 30, 2017
We are sending our heartfelt sympathies to your family. Loosing your dad it is tough, but a gift of memories you surely have stored in your hearts. I worked and kept in touch with your dad for many years. He was the kindest man and brought joy back into so many peoples lives. It was an honor to know and work with Doc Shanahan! Oh, the stories he could tell!
Vicki and Mike Hostetter
December 28, 2017
Doc, Bob, Shanahan was a good friend. We shared drinks and conversations, and I always enjoyed running into him. Although I always gone by Jim, Doc always called me James, which I always respected coming from a class guy like Doc. We shared several passions in life, we were both pilots, musicians, appreciated fine libations, and cigars. Doc always taught me something during our conversations. His laugh was contagious. We have all lost a good friend and one class individual. I am so glad our paths crossed in life and I was blessed to have known him. My sympathies to his family. What a great Patriarch you have had all these years. RIP Doc Shanahan. Jim Parks
December 27, 2017
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