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Robert McDonald Obituary
Rockport, TX
Robert Burns McDonald III, 67, passed away at his home on the Lamar Peninsula on May 29, 2017 with his wife and daughter at his side. Robert was born in El Campo, Texas on February 9, 1950, the only child of Velma Jo Joiner McDonald and Robert Burns McDonald, Jr. After graduating from Gregory-Portland H.S. in 1968, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University where he fell in love with his wife of 45 years, JoAnn Montes, and completed his B.S. in elementary education. Robert went on to earn an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from Corpus Christi University and a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Robert taught at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels in the Texas public schools for 14 years, exciting students about science and the world around them. He happily taught much of that time in Ingleside ISD. He spent the last 15 years of his career teaching at the university level at California State University-Long Beach, Southwest Texas State University, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He inspired many preservice and in-service teachers to teach science with gusto, helping them connect their students' real world experiences with the "big ideas" in science. Dr. McDonald presented workshops for science educators at the regional, state, national, and international levels, and has published numerous articles in journals of teacher education.
Robert was extremely proud to be a native Texan and enjoyed learning and talking about the many generations of his family who were born and raised in Texas. He loved the beauty and diversity of Texas and spent as much time as he could camping, fishing, and exploring the forests of east Texas and the rivers, bays, and estuaries of Texas coast. One of his greatest pleasures in life was teaching his grandchildren to fish in the waters around the Rockport/Fulton area.
R.B. was an adventurous soul and a life-long learner. He earned a black belt in Taekwondo, raced sailboats across the Gulf of Mexico from Corpus Christi to Vera Cruz, and built a geodesic dome where he spent the final year of his life. For many years he was an avid runner and cyclist. Robert loved to watch all Texas Longhorn sports and burnt orange was his favorite color.
He is survived by his mother, Velma Jo Joiner McDonald, his wife, JoAnn, and daughter, Amber Star McDonald Donihoo, one granddaughter, Alexandra Elise Donihoo, and a grandson, Robert Aidan Donihoo. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Gary (Charlotte) Montes, Sr., two nephews, and a niece of Nacogdoches, TX and two cousin/siblings, Penny Sue Benner Payne and Pat Benner. Survivors also include his Aunts Irene, Leotha, Billie, and Margie, as well as several cousins.
A private family memorial is planned for a future date. Those wishing to remember Robert should donate in his name to their favorite charity or scholarship.
Online condolences may be left at www.charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert McDonald
A Hiracheta
May 29, 2025
I will always remember Dr. McDonald with fondest memories. He is the teacher who inspired me the most. May God reward him for all the good he did!
His students were like flowers he planted which bloomed after his careful teaching and inspiring example! He was a Master Gardener after all!
Angela Hiracheta
October 27, 2017
Dr. McDonald was such an incredible person! He inspired me and my sister who were his college students. He is our most favorite, favorite teacher of all time. Hearing of his passing fills me with a desire to carry on his legacy more than ever, teaching children the way he taught us: with excitement! passion! purpose! inspiring the love of learning and the joy of learning and the joy of teaching! just remembering him, I feel the excitement and inspiration I gained through him. His sense of humor, kindness and down-to-earth practicalness spread joy and peace wherever he would go. When my sister and I chose him to pin our teacher pins for our teacher pinning ceremony at TAMUCC, he did it for us. Afterward he had to rush off because he did not have time to come, but he made the time to come. Before he left, he told us with a twinkle in his eyes and contained smile that he hoped no one had noticed but he was not able to come prepared so--he had to wear the shoes with holes! He proceeded to show us the bottom of his soles which indeed had holes! Boy, he gave us a good belly laugh then! He went around doing so much good, he is my role model and his spirit lives on in all the students who loved him! I pray for his family, especially equally inspirational wife Dr. Joann and his mother. It was a gift to know him. We love him and remember him. I thank God we got to know him.
Philippe Tissot
June 9, 2017
So sad to read the news. Dr. McDonald was an incredible science educator whose example and teachings live on in his students and colleagues. He taught science with passion and purpose, understood and inspired his students better than anyone I worked with. His advices continue to guide me and I pass them on. Dr. McDonald started one of the very first NSTA student chapters in the nation leading his students to trips, family science events and inspiring a generation of science teachers in the Coastal Bend. His legacy lives on in many science class rooms and many of us continue to benefit from his advice and teachings. He left us way too soon.
Linda Austin
June 6, 2017
You and family are in our prayers.
Nancy Darnell
June 5, 2017
Robert was a great educator and a wonderful man. I will always remember his enthusiasm for teaching adults and kids to stay curious, and his Bait Bucket Biology. JoAnn and family, may the sweetest of memories bring you comfort.
Cathy Polderman
June 5, 2017
Prayers for your families in your loss. May he rest in peace. I remember all of the wonderful stories that Velma would share with us. Deepest sympathy from the McFarland families.
Love to all.
Michael and Georgeana Thornton
June 4, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Roberts passing May he Rest In Peace
Rhonda Montes Slack
June 4, 2017
So sorry for your loss! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
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