Robert MacGregor Jr.

1941 - 2026

Heaven's bagpipes have been celebrating the life of, and welcoming the soul of Robert Fleming "Sandy" MacGregor, Jr. since March 17, when he peacefully passed away after 85 years of adventure, achievement, and love of family. An 8th-generation American, Sandy loved exploring his Scottish heritage that traced to royalty. He meanwhile dedicated his adult life to serving his country, first volunteering for four years of active duty in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, later devoting 45 years to the Newport News Shipbuilding Company as a project and cost engineer.

A native of Cincinnati, Sandy grew up in Lynchburg, VA, where he graduated from EC Glass High School. Following his commitment to the Navy, Sandy excelled at Virginia Tech, graduating in 1971 with a mechanical engineering degree while participating in a plethora of activities ranging from the Corps of Cadets ("best drilled") to the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the track and swimming teams, and the Pi Delta Epsilon Honor Society.

Sandy was well read, well traveled, and well recognized within dozens of community and charitable organizations he joined, led, and supported, foremost as a long-time parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church. Among his other favorites were the Smithfield Lions Club, Historic Smithfield, the Isle of Wight Historical Society, the American Clan MacGregor Society, the Scottish Society of Tidewater, the Irish American Society, the Swedish American Society, the St Andrew Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the AANR.

A life long bachelor, Sandy's life nevertheless was filled with family activities. He was pre-deceased by his parents Robert F McGregor, Sr and Anne Curtis Higgins McGregor, of Lynchburg and Richmond. Sandy is survived by his loving sister Mary McGregor Wall, her husband and Sandy's devoted best friend Furman Gresham Wall, Jr, of Virginia Beach; their children Gresh Wall (Caryn), Anne Wall Shipp (George), Scott Wall (Grace), and Katie Wall Redford (Matt), all of Virginia Beach; and grand-nieces and nephews Kenzie and Gresham Wall; Fitz, Alice, Mary Turner, and Garrison Shipp; Morgan, Frayser, and Mac Wall; and Pearce and Caden Redford. That's a lot of birthdays, holidays, graduations, plays, and championships to attend, and he unfailingly did. Uncle Sandy was an admired second father, volunteer handyman, behind-the-scenes Santa, and easy going confidant to all. His family will long remember and treasure his laughter, his humble manner, his genuine concern for others, his flannel shirts and ever-present coffee cup, and most of all, his love of everybody and everything - except cheese!?

Sandy and his family are beyond grateful for the phenomenal care provided by the loving staff of the Hoy Center at Westminister Canterbury during his last several years. A graveside service will be held at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, at 1:00 pm on April 4, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association.