Dr. Robert Magoon

Bob Magoon Beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather died peacefully at his home in Aspen, Colorado, with his wife at his bed side on January 10, 2018. Bob or Doc as many close to him would call him, grew up in Florida where he attended the Florida Military Academy . He attended the university of Florida where he distinguished himself in both academics and in athletics. Bob went on to attend Medical School at the University of Miami, completed his internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Harlem Eye and Ear Hospital in New York. He wrote several papers during his residency one of which won an award for Outstanding Paper on Glaucoma, given by the New York Academy of Ophthalmology at Colby College in Maine. In 1963 Dr. Magoon went into private practice and became a respected Eye Surgeon of great and delicate skill. He taught at Jackson Memorial Hospital and was nominated Chairman of Ophthalmology Department at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Magoon was one of three ophthalmologists in the country chosen to do implants for cataract surgery. During his years in private practice, Dr. Magoon was looking for a way to relieve the tensions of his workday. After trying several gentle games, one being fishing, Dr. Magoon settled on offshore powerboat racing. To many this may seem a strange choice for someone seeking peace of mind, but for Dr. Magoon it paid off. During his years on the circuit he was considered one of the most talented Ocean Racers of all time. He won 5 National Championships between 1968 and 1973. He did not compete in the world circuit of racing, instead choose to just race in the US, but always was in fierce competition with his European co racers. He would beat many of the Europeans when they traveled to the US for races and Dr. Magoon would race and beat them in the Bahamas. He never felt he had enough time to travel to Europe and compete. It would mean leaving his patients. He won numerous races in style, won more offshore powerboat races than any driver, and won more points in a single year than any driver in history of Powerboat Racing. In 1973 he was voted "Medical Sportsman of the Year" He credited his success in boating to the exact science of his profession. "Eye surgery is exact, delicate and disciplined; I try to carry that over into my boat racing. Planning makes the difference between success and failure." In 1971 Bob was elected to the Marine Hall of Fame and in 1972 to the Power Boat Association Honor Squadron. He was chosen by Hall of Fame members to receive the 1971 Gold Cup Award as America's Outstanding Powerboat driver. In 1974, after retiring from racing and taking a year to build his boat, he set a world record in racing a boat from Miami to New York on the Open Ocean, average speed of 55.4 MPH in 22 hours and 41 minutes covering 1,257 miles of Open Ocean. Crushing the old record by 8 hours and 45 minutes. He tried to cross the Atlantic Ocean in July of 1977 from Spain to Nantucket Lightship off Massachusetts. He had all of the latest technology on board of his 36ft cigarette boat. King Juan Carlos of Spain presided at the grand launching at the U.S. Navy base in Rota, Spain. Unfortunately incredibly rough seas cut the adventure short, and the trip ended in the Azores. Dr. Magoon was written up in Sports Illustrated 6 times as well as numerous times in Boating Magazines. Bob married the love of his life in 1976 and became very involved in the Arts both as a supporter of the Arts and as a Collector. He and his wife of 40 years Nancy are proud owners of an incredible private art collection displayed at their home in Aspen, considered to be one of the top 100 private Art Collections in the US. In the early nineties, after retiring from his Medical Profession, they moved to Aspen, Colorado. Bob got involved in Real Estate Development of a 2200 acre Ranch in Durango, Colorado, to which he owned the gas and mineral rights in. He traded Stocks and Commodities. Bob also enjoyed collecting great wines. He absolutely adored his dogs and was an avid bird hunter. Among the many passions they shared are the Aspen Art Museum, Jazz Aspen, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Aspen Medical Foundation, The Whitney Museum of Art. Aspen Animal Shelter, Guide dogs for the Blind. Bob is survived by Nancy, His Children Eric Magoon and Arden Magoon Karson, grandchildren Jared, Micah and Lilly Karson, Stephanie Magoon. (we can include......Nancy's children Perry and Adam, their children) In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to Oncology Clinic at Aspen Valley Hospital Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation 401 Castle Creek Road Aspen, CO 81611 or The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation 57 West 57th Street Suite 904 New York, NY 10019 A memorial Service will be planned for a later date In Aspen Colorado