Robert Tilt MacGill

Robert Tilt MacGill

Robert Tilt MacGill of Charlottesville, Virginia, and formerly of Charlotte, North Carolina, died Friday, November 27, 2009.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 26, 1921, and was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Margaret Baxter MacGill; and three siblings, Marjorie Allen, Kenneth MacGill and Susann Blair.

Dorothy, his devoted wife of 64 years, survives him as do his loving daughters, Carol Zimorski and Thomas of Charlottesville and Janice Altman and Fred of Gambrills, Maryland; sons, Andrew MacGill and Susan of Tampa, Florida, and Peter MacGill of Lyons, Colorado. Grandchildren, Sara and Jill Zimorski, Jennifer and Kenneth Padgett, Alan MacGill and Melyssa, and Jay MacGill, and Misra Cohen-MacGill also survive, along with several special nieces, nephews, friends and shipmates.

Robert was a proud Navy officer and member of the VC 10 squadron in World War II, flying a Wildcat F4F fighter off of the Fanshaw Bay aircraft carrier. After the war, Robert married his sweetheart, Dorothy Ann Wright, and also graduated from Miami University in Ohio, making theirs a celebrated "Miami Merger." A long and prosperous career followed with the Ryerson Steel Company and in his later years, Robert honed his skills as a competitive tennis player and achieved numerous rankings and titles. He was a member of the Olde Providence Racquet Club in Charlotte, NC, the Charlotte Storytellers Guild and was a skilled wood-worker and craftsman. After retirement, a fondness for traveling led Bob and Dorothy from coast to coast exploring our country with their beloved Airstream #2790. He masterfully researched the genealogy of his family, enjoyed writing and sharing his "stories," worked hard to conquer the frustrating game of golf, and survived sudden cardiac arrest 10 years ago while playing a competitive game of tennis.

The family is grateful to Graham Pitsenberger and Peter Eades for helping him celebrate the best airborne birthdays ever and to Dr. Diane Snustad and her staff for their kind and attentive care.

Memorial services will be private, and if you wish, donations may be made in his memory to the Shenandoah Valley Soaring Club, in care of Ben Johnson, 249 Aero Drive, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.