Obituary of Robert C McDonald

ROBERT C. MCDONALD Robert (Bob) C. McDonald, 69, joined our Lord June 6, 2016 at his home in Tucson, Arizona surrounded by his family. Bob grew up in the Detroit area, received his Bachelor's degree and took graduate studies at Wayne State University. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and served one year in Vietnam in 1969-70. He and Anita were married in 1970 and raised their three children in St. Louis County as Bob began his career in Human Resources with Monsanto. He had significant experience in the Automotive, Electronics and Chemical Industries and in his 25 plus years he solved Human Resources related business problems, and supported both domestic and international partners. Bob was serving as Vice President of Human Resources for the DeGussa Corporation, a $13 billion German-based specialty chemicals company based in Parsippany, N.J., when he retired in 2004. He continued to share and utilize his expertise as a consultant for Bunge Ltd. Until 2013.Bob's greatest love was that for his family. He thought spending time with his children was a great gift. He taught them about honesty, integrity, responsibility for one's actions, love, and so much more. He especially enjoyed watching them excel in all aspects of sports. He attended every football game, home or away, for Matthew when he was on a football scholarship at Indiana U., and he followed every step of his eldest son Rob as he began his career in MLB, becoming a great fan of the Washington Nationals watching every game up until five days before he passed. Daughter, Laura, was the apple of his eye and he took advantage of every opportunity to spend time with her as her work and schooling took her from St. Louis to Connecticut to Toronto and back to Tucson. Bob's five grandchildren were the joy of his life. The unconditional love they gave him were his reason to continue fighting the dreadful disease of ALS, which continued to weaken his body over almost nine years. Bob is survived by Anita, his wife of almost 46 years; daughter, Laura; sons Robert (Jennifer) and Matthew (Shontel); grandchildren Maximos, Gregory, Alexander, Jaxson and Riley; Aunt Joanne Burkart; Uncle Charles Burkart, brother in laws Charles (Frances) Leonard, and Brown Leonard II and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. A Celebration of Bob's life will take place on Saturday, July 9 at 10:00am with military honors and Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5150 N. Valley View Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85718. A reception will immediately follow the Mass. The family feels in honoring Bob and in continuing the fight against ALS, we ask that memorial tributes/donations be made to the ALS Association-Arizona Chapter, Team McDonald, 360 E. Coronado Rd., Suite 140, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 or online at www.alsaz.org