Beloved Teacher to Retire

Following 36 years of dedication to St. Mark’s, Robert “Doc” Browning will retire at the end of the 2020–2021 school year. Doc has been a valued member of the faculty since he arrived on campus in 1985, serving in a variety of roles over time, including Head Athletic Trainer, physical education teacher, coach, advisor, and much more.  

“Doc Browning has been a fixture at St. Mark’s for three and a half decades and touched the lives of thousands of Marksmen,” said David W. Dini, Eugene McDermott Headmaster. “From teaching his first graders about the importance of a firm handshake and eye contact to supporting our most accomplished varsity athletes, Doc has had an extraordinary impact on our School. He’s a skilled athletic trainer, inspiring teacher, respected colleague, and valued mentor.” 

Doc began his medical career with a three-year stint as a Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. After graduating from North Carolina State University in 1980, Doc spent five years as Rhodes College’s Head Athletic Trainer, as well as two years as Assistant Trainer for the USFL Memphis Showboats. He is a licensed Athletic Trainer and a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

At St. Mark’s, Doc has been responsible for the health and safety of Lion athletes in his role as an athletic trainer. Lower School boys know Doc for his energetic PE lessons, where he always teaches character and sportsmanship alongside athleticism. From 1988-1992, Doc served as an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach under Tom Adams, winning three SPC championships in four seasons. Since the mid-1990s, he has served as the announcer for a number of varsity athletic teams, including basketball and lacrosse, and he has recruited, trained, and mentored many Upper School Student Athletic Trainers. 

Doc’s impact on St. Mark’s extends well beyond the Athletic Department. Notably, he spent several years as Head of the Wilderness Program and coordinator of the CANpaign (now the Community Service Program). In 1987, Doc raised funds for the CANpaign by setting a Guinness World Record for most free throws shot in 24 hours (Doc scored 16,093 of the 23,194 free throws he attempted). As part of the CANpaign, Doc also founded Grandy’s Week, which is now known as McDonald’s Week, and supports Austin Street Center. For many years, he contributed a well-known Live Auction item to Celebrate St. Mark’s, which generated substantial resources for the School over time. Lower School boys and many others across the St. Mark’s community also know Doc for his famous ginger cookies.  

Doc received the John H. Murrell Excellence-in-Teaching Award in 1994, the Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award in 2007, and the Ackerman Character Education Award in 2015.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.