Robert MacFarland

Bob MacFarland, 94, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2014, in Louisville, Colorado, after a brief illness. He was born on December 31, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was preceded in death by his mother Mary MacFarland and his father Robert Frederick Pike. The most cherished part of Bob's life was his family. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Dot MacFarland of Boulder, his son Gordon MacFarland (Liz Buchanan) of Arlington, Massachusetts, and his daughters Carrie Calvert (Terrence McMahon) of Ventura, California, and Ellen Matheny (Theo) of Tumwater, Washington. Bob and Dot moved into Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder in 1992, enjoyed many active years in their home they came to love and built long lasting friendships with fellow residents. At Frasier, Bob dedicated many years to managing the Surplus Store and worked diligently with others in initiating a recycling program. Bob was active in the Boy Scouts of America during his youth, earning the highest advancement rank of Eagle Scout. He dedicated many years to leadership in the Boy Scouts. In 1970, he was given the Silver Beaver Award, which was a council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts given to Bob for his dedication to the Scouting program and performance of community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. His family and friends would say Bob lived the Boy Scout law of being "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." He lived his life as a devout sincere follower of Jesus Christ. He was a lifelong Methodist and active member in the Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder. He was active in Rotary International throughout his professional years and in retirement. Bob earned a bachelor's of science degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He worked in engineering and management throughout his career, beginning with US Steel Corporation in Naugatuck, Connecticut, and then Republic Steel Corporation and American Greetings in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1975, he opened and for seven years managed American Greetings' new western distribution center in Brigham City, Utah. In his early retirement years, he led the team to eradicate asbestos in school buildings in the Saint Vrain School District in Longmont. Bob was always a caring and kind person. He went out of his way to help those in need, serving food at soup kitchens in the local area, reading to children at the library, and noticing what he could do to help those who were less fortunate than he. He brought joy and caring to all he met. The depth of Bob's kindness and commitment to loving each person who crossed his path was never more evident than during his final days on this earth. Despite his ailing health, he continually expressed kindness and gratitude to the medical workers who cared for him. The family is very grateful to the doctors, nurses and aids that cared for Bob at the Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville. There's an expression "let go and let God." We reluctantly let go of Bob from his earthly life and entrust him to the loving arms of our Father in heaven so he can bring joy to all those souls he meets in the next phase of his journey.