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BORN
1937
DIED
2024
Robert McGaughy Obituary
As a (senior) scientist at EPA for 35 years, he was sometimes referred to as "the grandfather of risk analysis".
At Case-Western Reserve University, he switched from nuclear physics (M.S.) to biophysics (Ph. D.) because he didn't want to be in the business of "killing people" but rather in "saving lives". However, he was unable to save his own son Danny, who died of leukemia at the age of 11. As an early citizen-lobbyist with his wife, he co-founded Candlelighters (parents of children with cancer) to counter Congressional efforts to diminish cancer research funding in the early 1970's. They were later named "Washingtonians of the Year" by Washingtonian magazine and "Points of Light" by President George H.W. Bush.
As a life-long passionate choral singer, Bob sang in 20 different choruses, including the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus under Robert Shaw, the Washington Male Chorus under Sam Bonds, and the Slavic Male Chorus under Greg Oleynik.
A memorial service for Dr. Robert E. McGaughy will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring. Address: 10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20903.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert McGaughy
4 Entries
George Meekins
October 26, 2024
I had so much joy singing with you in the UUCSS choir!! We miss you, Bob.
I can still hear your voice in my mind´s ear.
-George
Virginia Phillips
June 3, 2024
I will remember my Uncle Bob always as a genuinely kind and good man. He and Beverly hosted me for dinner several years ago on my last trip to DC, and it was a joy to talk with him. My father was Bob's youngest brother, and passed away in 1994. Their voices and gestures were so similar that talking with Bob was like being in the room with my Dad again. I don't know if I ever told him what a gift that was.
I am honored to have known him, however time and geography separated our lives. All condolences and much love to Mike, Phil, and Ay Hieng, and to his beloved Beverly.
Mary Lee Arnold
May 30, 2024
Bob was such a special Brother-in-Law. He was supportive to me and my children. We always thought of him as a "special" uncle, not just a "relative" by marriage.
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