Robert T. McIntyre

Robert T. McIntyre (Mac) Born: Wilkinsburg, PA Feb. 02, 1921 Died: Palm City, FL Nov. 11, 2011 Bob attended University of Oklahoma and left to become a band drummer. His career took him to hotels and resorts all over the country, playing with Big bands as well as small groups. He managed news companies in Jackson, MI and Plattsburgh, NY. He was managing a Coca Cola bottling plant in Plattsburg at the time of the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, NY. As Coke was a sponsor of the Games, Bob was involved in negotiations for supplying products for the event. Bob and his wife, Lillian, retired to Austin, TX in 1984 and lived near Westwood High School where Bob enjoyed watching athletic practices and became friends with Coach Bratcher. The coach encouraged Bob to take up running, which he did and never stopped until a stroke July, 2011. He even ran with a pacemaker inserted in 1997. Bob competed in 250 races, running over 22,000 miles in nineteen years. While training under Paul Carrozza, Bob developed a lasting friendship with Jack Caldwell as they ran in Austin Marathons, Decker Challenges, U. of Run-Tex Masters Mile, and Cap 10Ks. Bob placed first for age group in all Cap 10Ks. His first place record for age 71 of five minutes and 47 seconds in the Congress Avenue Mile may still stand. Bob was a Vista Volunteer who spent four years promoting Senior Fitness in Williamson County. He earned Lifetime Memberships in the Round Rock YMCA and the Cedar Park Senior Center by running four 20-mile fundraisers for them. Lillian supported Bob's running competitions, always accompanying him until she became too ill. They both volunteered at Round Rock Hospital, and Bob continued after she died. In 2001 Bob received a letter from Mitt Romney stating that he had been chosen to be a Torch Bearer for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay as it passed through Austin on its way to Salt Lake City. Bob was surprised and thrilled when his Torch was lit by Lance Armstrong. Bob was predeceased by two wives: June, mother of Kristine Loessin and Jodee Burgos of Florida, and Lillian, mother of Marla McMullin of NY and Nancy Broughton of Austin. He is survived by eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. It was appropriate that Bob died on Veterans Day as he was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II. Family members interred Bob's ashes next to Lillian's in West Chazy Rural Cemetery in northern NY on August 19, 2012.