Robert L. Maggs M.D.

Robert L. Maggs, M.D.

formerly of Deal and Holmdel

Robert L. Maggs, M.D. passed away on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 in Key Biscayne, Florida, where he had been a full time resident since 1986. Dr. Maggs was a long time resident of Deal and Holmdel, New Jersey, prior to his move to Florida. Dr. Maggs was born in Albany, New York on July 31, 1930 to Kathryn Shields Maggs and Leonard Maggs, and was the last surviving of three children. He graduated from Iona Prep in New Rochelle, New York and Fordham University, New York City, New York, before earning his Medical Doctor degree at the University of the State of New York Downstate College of Medicine at Brooklyn, New York. He served his internship at The Brooklyn Hospital, and his residency in General Surgery at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City. As a general surgeon in the United States Army, he was stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and participated as a member of the Bioastonauatics NASA team that supported the launching of the first astronauts into space. After his honorable discharge from military service, Dr. Maggs became a Senior Attending Surgeon on the staff of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, and was an Assistant Professor in General Surgery on the faculty of the New York Medical College in Manhattan, New York. Upon the opening of Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center) in 1970, he served as the first President of the Medical Staff and later as the elected Chief of the Department of Surgery, Director of Medical Education, member of the Medical Staff Executive Committee, and as a member of the Hospital Board of Trustees. Dr. Maggs was licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey, New York and Florida. He was Board Certified in General Surgery, Medical Management (ACPE), and in Quality Assurance-Utilization Review. Dr. Maggs was a Fellow of the College of Surgeons (FACS), the International College of Surgeons (FICS), and the American College of Physician Executives (FACPE). He served as President of the Monmouth County Medical Society and on its Medical-Judicial Committee for several years thereafter. Following cardiac surgery in 1986, he retired from the private practice of medicine.

Dr. Maggs was a Medical Consultant for workers' compensation matters and industrial managed care to the Minnesota Mining Company, Brockway Glass Corporation, Union Carbide Company, and the Shop-Rite-Foodarama Corporation from 1954-1990. He was the Medical Director for the New Jersey Managed Medical Care program for the Prudential Insurance Company from 1987-1990. While residing in New Jersey, Dr. Maggs was a member of the Board of Directors of the Freehold Area YMCA and founding father of it's Endowment Committee. He was appointed as the Monmouth County Freeholder representative to the Monmouth County Board of Social Services. Upon his retirement from the practice of medicine, Dr. Maggs became active as a Registered Securities Representative for First Montauk Securities in Red Bank, New Jersey, Gruntel and Co. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later as an independent NASD and Florida Registered Investment Advisor with Schwab Institutional. Since 1990, he participated in the student clinic teaching program as an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami-Jackson Medical Center, Miami, Florida.

As a young man, Dr. Maggs was an Eagle Member of the Boy Scouts of America and a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow. From 1948-1952 he served as Scoutmaster of Troop 7, Pehlham, New York, and he was recently elected as a Board Member for the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a past member of the Optimists International and was a current member of Rotary International. Dr. Maggs was active with the American Legion-Post 374 on Key Biscayne, Florida, serving as Commander during the past year, the Knights of Columbus, and the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce. He was the Founding Father of "Keep Seniors on Key Biscayne," served on the Village Finance Committee in 1997, the Village Aircraft Noise Abatement Committee, the Crandon Park Boulevard Master Plan Committee from 2003-2004, the 2020 Vision and EAR Committees from 2005-2006, and as Trustee of the Key Biscayne Firefighters and Police Pension Plan beginning in 2006. Dr. Maggs was a founding Father and Treasurer of the Key Biscayne Historical and Heritage Society. Dr. Maggs was a communicant of St. Agnes Catholic Church on Key Biscayne, Florida, where he served as Eucharist Minister and participated in the CCD program as an Instructor for the Confirmation class of teenagers. Dr. Maggs participated in mentoring students from Miami-Jackson High School. As a licensed Florida Community Association Manager, he was the past Property Manager for The Square Shopping Center Condominium Association on Key Biscayne for eight years. Always interested in sharing his ideas, Dr. Maggs' "letters to the editor" of the Key Biscayne Island News and La Isla addressed many local and general topics of interest. He was a member of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.

Dr. Maggs was predeceased by both his parents; his wife of 48 years, Marguerite Himebaugh Maggs; his son, Robert L. Maggs, Jr.; his sister, Carolyn Keating and his brother, Alan Maggs. He is survived by his children, James A. Maggs and daughter-in-law, Heidi, John D. Maggs and his daughter-in-law, Cathy, Marguerite Maggs Fitzgerald and son-in-law, Michael, daughter-in-law, Julie Burke Maggs, Barbara M. Maggs, and Marianne Maggs Chagares and son-in-law, Stephen, as well as his nine grandchildren, Robert III, Julie, Michael, Caroline, Joseph, Samantha, Katherine, Jack and Isabella. He is also survived by his devoted and loving companion, Dr. Ana (Vicky) Rivas-Vazquez, with whom he traveled extensively and shared so many of life's other joys.

Visitation will be from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012, at the Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel, New Jersey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:15 A.M. on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel, New Jersey, followed by interment at The Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Key Biscayne History and Heritage Society, c/o Dr. Ana (Vicky) Rivas-Vazquez, Commodore Club, West, Unit 714, 155 Ocean Lane Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149. A celebration of Dr. Maggs' life will also take place in Key Biscayne, Florida at a date to be announced. For directions or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.holmdelfuneralhome.com