Joe Taggart’s Nine Decades of Boat Racing – John Taggart
Hybrid Meeting – April 13, 2023
John Taggart attended Ohio Northern University, then Ohio State University for medical school and residency. After graduating in 1966, he joined the Navy and was sent to the Orlando Naval Training Center. He served two years as Lieutenant Commander.
He stayed in Orlando and opened a medical practice specializing in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck surgery). During 40 years in practice, he served on several hospital boards and was President of the Orange County Medical Society.
He has been a member of Rotary Club of Orlando for 17 years.
His interests include several types of boating. He and his father, Joe Taggart, built the winningest hydroplane in boat racing history, the Buckeye Kid. It still holds a world record set in 1986. Currently, the Buckeye Kid participates in vintage hydroplane exhibition events. He also restored a 1928 Dodge runabout and a 1936 Chris Craft racing runabout. These boats participate in the Tavares classic boat festival each March. On a smaller scale, he races radio-controlled model boats several times a year.