Robert MacDonald

1930 - 2014

Robert B.
MacDonald, Jr.
passed away on January 7th, 2014 of natural causes at the age of 83. A 43 year resident of Seabrook, Texas, Mr. MacDonald was born on November 21, 1930 in Salem, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father Robert B. MacDonald Sr., his mother, Dorothy Esther MacDonald as well as one brother, Dr. William M. MacDonald. Bob served in the United States Navy during the Korean War as a Petty Officer from 1950 - 1954. He married his wife of 61 years, Geraldine, in April of 1952. After attending college on the GI bill and graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1958, Bob began his career at the IBM Corporation in Owego, NY. While at IBM he worked on projects supporting Earth orbiting and lunar exploration missions and became responsible for studies to assess the potential of utilizing remote sensing from space in order to monitor agricultural crops. In 1965, he returned to his alma mater, Purdue University, serving as the full time director for the Engineering Applied Research Laboratory. Additionally, Bob managed laboratories at The University of Michigan as well at The University of California, Berkeley. In 1971, he joined the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX, now known as the Johnson Space Center. While at NASA, Bob served in numerous positions including ERTS Project Scientist, Chief, Earth Observations Division (also serving as the U.S. Chairman of a joint U.S./Soviet bilateral remote sensing project), Chief Scientist, Earth Resources Programs with the Space and Life Sciences Directorate, Assistant to the Director for Earth Sciences, Chief Scientist for Space and Life Sciences Directorate, Assistant to the Director for Research Education and University Programs Mission Support Directorate, and Manager for Research Education in University Programs on the Information Technology Division Staff including Chief Technical Officer for cooperative agreements between NASA and the University of Houston Clear Lake. Bob received numerous honors and awards including the NASA's Exceptional Service Medal, Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, a Certificate of Commendation for demonstrating the value of space technology for the management of natural resources, and a Group Achievement Award for work on the Skylab earth resources experiments. He also received Purdue University's first Award of Excellence in Remote Sensing, and the University of Houston Clear Lake's first RICIS Outstanding Leadership Award. Bob was an avid golfer, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and participation in multiple sports at various levels throughout his life and passed his love of sports on to his children and grandchildren as a coach, teacher and friend. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, sons Timothy, Scott, Michael and Andrew as well as his Daughters- in- law, Lynette and Janell. He also leaves his grandchildren Christopher, Heather and her husband Joshua, Mitchell and his wife Shelby, Tristan, Jake, Aimee, Lauren, Abby, and Austin. Bob will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed dearly by his family and friends. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Paul's Catholic Church 18223 Point Lookout Drive, Nassau Bay, TX on February 13th at 10:30 AM. He will be buried in the Seabrook Cemetery overlooking Galveston Bay which he enjoyed so much. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to the Seabrook Cemetery Association at P.O. Box 446
Seabrook, TX 77586.