NEW YORK — Dr. Robert C. Lincoln DMD '49CC, 96, of Hingham, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness surrounded by several loving family members.

Born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey, Lincoln enlisted in the Navy to fight in WWII assigned to the USS Alabama in the South Pacific. Returning in 1946, Bob graduated from Columbia University in three years. He played for the Lions beginning in 1944 before enlisting and then played two more seasons for the Lions in 1946 and 1947 under legendary head coach Lou Little. Lincoln was a vital member of the 1947 squad that upset No. 6 Army, 21-20, to snap the Black Knights' 32-game unbeaten streak.

After graduating from Harvard Dental School, he worked as a surgeon at the Mass General Hospital for over 40 years while teaching at Harvard Medical School. Bob was published in the JAMA for innovation in oral surgery. As an accomplished surgeon, he operated on many notables from Muhammad Ali to John Wayne and served as team surgeon for the Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and Hartford Whalers.

Lincoln was a loyal supporter of the football program and Columbia University throughout the years. He helped recruit 70-plus football players from New England to Columbia University in the 1960s through 1980s, including more than a half-dozen who became captains or co-captains of the team.

Born on April 5, 1927, he was the devoted son of the late Robert W. Lincoln and Marion (Carling) Lincoln. Lincoln married his high school sweetheart the late Catherine T. Brennan of Bayonne, New Jersey.  He is survived by his loving children Robert, Richard, Tom, Patricia, Jack, Susan, Marion, and Mike. Lincoln was also the cherished grandfather of 24 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, leaving many loving nieces and nephews behind.