Robert O. Cox, source: Antique Boat Museum
STATEMENT REGARDING DEATH OF FOUNDER
ROBERT O. COX
CLAYTON,
New York (June 24, 2013) – Frederick
H. Hager, Executive Director of the Antique Boat Museum (ABM), released the
following statement regarding the death of Museum founder Robert (Bob) O. Cox.
“We are saddened to share the news of the death of Bob Cox, a
tireless leader, visionary, and true inspiration. As a founding member of the
Antique Boat Auxiliary of the Thousand Islands Museum in 1967, Bob would help
to capture the history of boating throughout the region by actively seeking
ways for preservation. He played a key role as the Auxiliary transitioned into
the Thousand Islands Shipyard Museum, and then in 1990 when it was renamed the
Antique Boat Museum.
Bob served as a Board member for 30 years until 1999, when he was
named Trustee Emeritus. In addition, he was the longest serving docent at the
ABM, leading tours up until 2011 at the age of 93.
The ABM has lost a true mentor, benefactor, and an influential
friend of the Museum and the Thousand Islands.”
In addition to assisting with the foundation of the Museum, Bob
helped to organize the first boat show in 1964. The show will joyfully
celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014.
His memories of boating on the river in the 1920s and 30s were
foundational to the mission of the Museum, and remained an important part of
his contributions. He was a student of local boating history, and many
important boats in the Museum’s collection were found, purchased, and donated
by Bob, including the local raceboats Suwanee and George Boldt’s former number boat.
The knowledge Bob shared with the ABM extends far beyond the
Thousand Islands.
While still in college at CalTech, Bob designed the docks for the
World’s Fair in New York City in 1938. Ten years later, on a sailing trip, he
purchased a former Navy pier in South Florida and founded the Fort Lauderdale Marina, one of the largest marinas in the world. This put him at the forefront
of America’s growing fascination with boating in the 20th century. In the 1960s
and 70s, he was a championship racer of offshore powerboats alongside the likes
of Don Aronow, Dick Bertram, and Jim Wynn.
Bob, a lifelong summer resident of Grindstone Island, was always a
vigorous presence, active and engaged, full of energy and ideas. From boating
on the River in the 1920s, to racing powerboats in the 60s, to designing new
luxury powerboats in the early 2000s, few people have had a life so connected
with boating.
