Colin Cameron Munro

1932 - 2023

Colin Cameron Munro
Born: June 4, 1932 in Chicago, IL
Died: March 9, 2023 in Batavia, IL
Colin Cameron Munro Jr., 90, passed away on March 9, 2023. He is survived by his wife Joan M. Munro, his daughter Dr. Cathy L. Munro (Dr. Steven Burandt) of Winfield IL, and son Mark C. Munro (Susan) of Barrington IL. He leaves three grandsons: Dr. Ross C. Burandt (Michaela) of Davenport IA, Alex C. Burandt of Jackson's Gap AL, and Colin C. Munro of Barrington IL.
Colin was born on June 4, 1932 in Chicago Illinois to Colin C. Munro Sr. and Hilda A. Munro. He spent his first 15 years in Chicago before the family moved to Aurora in 1947. He was a 1950 graduate of West Aurora High School and a 1954 graduate of the University of Tennessee. While at the University of Tennessee, he was a member of the 1951 Varsity Football National Collegiate Championship team and had the honor of playing in the 1952 Sugar Bowl and the 1953 Cotton Bowl games. During his collegiate career, he played with and against numerous NFL greats and future Hall of Famers including: Doug Atkins, Bart Starr, and Johnny Unitas. He was a Cleveland Browns selection in the 1954 NFL draft but a late senior season knee injury effectively ended his football career.
In December 1953, Colin married his beloved Joan and they began their 69-year journey together. During the first two years of their marriage they lived in several locations as Colin was completing his active military service. He was a U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant stationed in Georgia, Indiana, and finally at Fort Sheridan in Highwood Illinois and served honorably in active and reserve duty until discharged in August 1962. Upon leaving Army active duty, Colin and Joan moved to Batavia Illinois and were residents thereof until his death.
Colin was attracted to and spent most of his working life in the construction industry, specializing in materials and methods for the Masonry Industry. During his early career, Colin was employed in various technical, sales, and management work within the industry. In 1982 he established his own company and began a 25-year consulting career utilizing his specialized knowledge of masonry design, construction and materials. Some of the more notable area projects he worked on were: the Field Museum of Natural History, Johnson's Wax Research Tower, Old Republic Insurance building, the Harold Washington Library, and Navy Pier.
In 1992, he partnered to form a company that patented products specializing in moisture management within masonry cavity walls. This company successfully sold proprietary product into construction projects throughout North America.
Colin was a guest lecturer on masonry design and construction at the Architectural and Engineering schools of several midwestern universities: Notre Dame, University of Illinois, Ball State, IIT, University of Iowa, Iowa State, and Purdue University.
He received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Architects for his contributions to practicing Architects in the Metropolitan Chicago area. He was a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials and designated a Fellow of ASTM also receiving an Award of Merit.
He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Structural Engineers Association, the Construction Specifications Institute, the Masonry Standards Joint Committee, the Masonry Society, Certified Special inspector Structural Masonry, the American Concrete Institute and the British Masonry Society. Further, he was an honorary member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen International Union.
Colin was also involved with philanthropic work throughout his lifetime. Significant among his contributions was leading the effort to acquire the materials and labor for the original Ronald McDonald House construction at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Colin loved his work and engaging with people. Everything he achieved in life was earned through ingenuity, hard work, determination, grit, and faith. He was an American man of his time. He was an American man in full.
Colin Cameron Munro was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and patriarch. He was always willing to help, was generous, and a good friend. He was loved by his family and many friends throughout his lifetime and is greatly missed by all.
A private service and burial were held in March 2023. Colin was a supporter of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Valley Sheltered Workshop. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to bethanybatavia.org and vsw-il.org.