Robert Magee ’59 retired in 2002, but he’s far from taking it easy. Since his retirement, Magee has served as interim pastor for four churches. He is also extremely proud of his work to help organize and lead, with the help of the North Kansas City Rotary Club and several churches, the Jamaica Medical and Dental Mission. “Through these efforts we have been able to serve more than 30 thousand people during our 10 day annual mission trip.” He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Shirley Ann, children, Matthew, Robin, Shelly, Beth and Susan, and his 10 grandchildren.
Prior to retirement, Magee served for 32 years as a chaplain (Col) for the United States Army Reserve, as senior minister of First Christian Church of North Kansas City, Mo., and a police and fire chaplain in the North Kansas City, Mo., area. “I liked my job because I worked with people during the happiest time in their lives, such as weddings, births, baptisms. I also served people during crisis times.” Among the highlights of his career, Magee recalls a 1972 trip to Bethlehem. “The most exciting aspect of my career was taking a group to the Holy Lands and celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity.”
He credits Culver-Stockton College with providing him a strong foundation for learning that continues to help him grow in all areas of life. “I have always encouraged students to consider and attend C-SC. At least 20 students from the churches I have served have gone to the Hill, plus three from Jamaica. I cannot say enough about the deeply influential and positive impact Culver-Stockton had on my life.” As a student at Culver-Stockton, Magee was president of the choir and the first president of the TKE fraternity. “One funny memory from C-SC happened during Dr. Fred Helsabeck, president at the time, was addressing the student body. Someone put an alarm clock under the pulpit where he was speaking. Ten minutes into his speech, this loud alarm clock sounds, and everyone broke out in laughter, Dr. Helsabeck included.”
Following his graduation from C-SC, Magee went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Drake University, a Doctor of Ministry from St. Paul School of Theology. He also completed Clinical Pastor Education and the United States Army School of Basic, Advance, and Command and General Staff College.
