Robert Macnamara

Robert "Mac" Macnamara died at his home on Saturday, June 8, in the company of his wife of 62 years, Nancy, son Michael, and daughter Jill. Formerly of the Twin Cities, he and Nancy have been residents of Pequot Lakes for the past 38 years where they made many dear friends while operating Silver Sands Resort, participating in local civic activities, and through their many years of membership at Grace United Methodist Church.
Mac was a graduate of Willmar High School (1947) and Hamline University (1956), where he earned a BS in Chemistry. His studies were interrupted by the draft, and he served 22 months in the Army as a Combat Medic. While serving in Korea he earned the Silver Star for valor on the battlefield, and was awarded two Purple Hearts for wounds he received in combat. He returned to his wife, Nancy, and a 13 month old son, Michael, whom he'd never met, and finished his degree while working full-time in the evenings. His corporate career included stints with 3M and Univac, but in 1975 he left the laboratory and bought Silver Sands Resort, beginning a new career in Pequot Lakes.

Mac and Nancy retired after 18 years operating the resort, and his time was occupied by his service on the Jenkins Town Board (29 years), tireless work with Grace United Methodist Church, his gardening, and elk hunts in the mountains of Colorado and Idaho. He was a long term member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and National Rifle Association.

He was preceded in death by his natural parents H.L. "Mac" and Erma (Nelson) Macnamara; brother, Larry; son, David; and daughter-in-law, Debbie.

He is survived by wife, Nancy (Van Stone); his stepmother, Burnette (Knutsen); sons, Michael and Mark; daughter, Jill and husband Rod Romine; siblings: Lorine Potter, Wesley Macnamara, and Mary Kuhr. Mac leaves grandchildren: Philip, Matthew, Justin, Ryan, Andrew, and Dillon; as well as great grandchildren: Ian, Waylon, Rowan, Bennett and Decklan; and many nieces and nephews.

Despite his humility, Mac was a man difficult to ignore. He touched so many people around him with his compassion and care that his absence will be widely felt.

Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Tues. June 11, and a memorial service will be held Wed., June 12 at 11 AM, both at Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes. Interment will be attended by family and friends on Thurs., June 13, at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.

Memorials to Grace United Methodist Church, Pequot Lakes.