Robert McMahon Obituary

Robert "Rex" McMahon passed away unexpectedly several weeks ago. Mr. McMahon was a veteran Naval officer, an accomplished author and historian, and a popular teacher. He also was a Class A fencer, a formidable chess opponent, and comfortable in French and Latin. Mr. McMahon was born March 22, 1950 in Erie, Pennsylvania to the late Robert Patrick and Florence Scott McMahon. He was educated at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, studied history at Oxford University, England, and obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as an officer in the US Navy from 1975-1984, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. While in the Navy, he was involved in combat while on riverboats in Vietnam before serving aboard the USS Inchon and USS Yarnell; with Military Sealift Command on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean; and with the Strategy, Plans and Policy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. Mr. McMahon left a successful military career and returned to Pennsylvania to be the sole caregiver for his mother until her death. He was a popular teacher of history and humanities at Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie. A voracious reader and prolific writer, Mr. McMahon's articles appeared in newspapers, education journals, historical journals and military publications. Affectionately called "Rex" by his many friends, he was a prodigious letter writer, maintaining an extensive literary log and a consistent correspondence of nearly 40 years with friends and acquaintances throughout the world. In 1993, he moved to Colorado at the invitation of friends Richard and Jan Gugeler. He became secondary level teacher of French, English and history at Globe Charter School in Colorado Springs and contributed articles to The Ute Pass Courier. In 1996, Rex became an associate faculty member of National American University, Colorado Springs campus. He was a popular instructor, known for the rigor of the coursework; his students often remarked on his superb ability to impart critical thinking skills. In 1998, he took on the duties of Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at NAU, until October 2002, when he became Dean. Surviving are his sister Susan McMahon of New York City, sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Charles Hundley of Richmond, VA, and brother Patrick McMahon of Philadelphia. He is also survived by his beloved niece and nephew: Elizabeth Hundley, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia, and Lance Corporal Charles Hundley, United States Marine Corps. Those of us who were fortunate to have Rex as a friend will always remember him as a unique, larger-than-life individual who lived the ideals of Duty and Honor. Probi et docti linguarumque qui cum annos literis dedisset. Requiescas in pace, dear friend. We are diminished. Rex's friends will meet for a local memorial on April 21 at 10 AM at the Benet Hill Chapel, 2577 N. Chelton in Colorado Springs. A memorial mass was held in Pennsylvania in March.