Dr. Robert MacDonald, 70, was born in Chicago,
and soon moved to California. As an 8 yr. old, he dove for coins off
Catalina Is., to the tourists' delight. A friend devised a helmet, hose
and bike pump combination, so the boys could retrieve coins landing
in the 40 ft. deep water. In 1940, Bob, 12, moved to St. Louis,. He
joined the Y swim team, coached by Ernie Vornbrock, Counsilman's mentor.
In 1946, at Y Nationals in Detroit, he and teammate, P. Hutinger, were
members of the winning 400 yd. free relay. The army drafted him in 1946,
and Bob served two years in the Korea region. He placed 3rd in the 100
and 200 yd. breast at the All-Pacific Meet in Tokyo. Afterwards, he
enrolled at St. Louis University, and swam on their team, which reigned
as Missouri Valley Champs, for three years. He represented the MO Athletic
Club at the 1948 Olympic Water Polo tryouts, and the next year, his
team won the Nat. Jr. Championships, in Detroit. After completing his
dentistry doctorate, Bob moved to Naples, FL, and started his practice.
He presently shares an office with his son, Michael. Bob began Masters
swimming in 1978, has won his breast events at Nationals and been an
All-American, several times. In 1996, he helped originate the Mavericks.
In 1997, he swam breast on the LCM and SCM world record 200 medley relays,
again with teammate, Hutinger.
Dr. Robert MacDonald, 70, was born in Chicago,
and soon moved to California. As an 8 yr. old, he dove for coins off
Catalina Is., to the tourists' delight. A friend devised a helmet, hose
and bike pump combination, so the boys could retrieve coins landing
in the 40 ft. deep water. In 1940, Bob, 12, moved to St. Louis,. He
joined the Y swim team, coached by Ernie Vornbrock, Counsilman's mentor.
In 1946, at Y Nationals in Detroit, he and teammate, P. Hutinger, were
members of the winning 400 yd. free relay. The army drafted him in 1946,
and Bob served two years in the Korea region. He placed 3rd in the 100
and 200 yd. breast at the All-Pacific Meet in Tokyo. Afterwards, he
enrolled at St. Louis University, and swam on their team, which reigned
as Missouri Valley Champs, for three years. He represented the MO Athletic
Club at the 1948 Olympic Water Polo tryouts, and the next year, his
team won the Nat. Jr. Championships, in Detroit. After completing his
dentistry doctorate, Bob moved to Naples, FL, and started his practice.
He presently shares an office with his son, Michael. Bob began Masters
swimming in 1978, has won his breast events at Nationals and been an
All-American, several times. In 1996, he helped originate the Mavericks.
In 1997, he swam breast on the LCM and SCM world record 200 medley relays,
again with teammate, Hutinger.