Retired Faculty & Staff

One of McDonogh’s longest-tenured faculty members, Bob Mahon arrived in the Upper School science department in September of 1976, and over the past four decades, he has taught a myriad of courses including his perennial favorites: freshman physics and on-level biology. 

But his contributions to the School go well beyond his science classroom. A man of many talents, during his 46-year career, he also served as an advisor to a number of student-initiated clubs—most notably the Martial Arts Club, and as a coach with a fiery presence on the Middle School football and JV lacrosse fields. 

Until recently, he was responsible for setting up, monitoring, and breaking down all the audio equipment for every major school event. He was also the lead designer, architect, and caretaker for the Naylor Building aquarium. And, as the self-appointed “Detention Czar” for years, he hosted countless students in his classroom for morning detention at 7:30 a.m. 

When asked what he will miss most about teaching, Mr. Mahon lights up as he describes his good fortune to have taught so many highly motivated students with a genuine love for learning. In turn, he made an indelible impression on generations of upper schoolers with lessons such as the “projectile lab” featuring recurve bows and arrows shot across the baseball field during Summer Physics and the “egg drop” from the top floor of Naylor in the spring. And people still talk about the time when his own laser vision correction surgery became a teachable moment for his students who watched the procedure live.

Mr. Mahon has been described as the “Swiss Army Knife of the science department,” the “ultimate team player” willing and able to handle a wide variety of tasks and assignments, and a “master storyteller” with an encyclopedic knowledge of his subject.

Thank you, Bob, for your dedicated service to McDonogh. We wish you the very best in your next experiment in life.

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