Black Watch and RCR friends:
Regret to report the passing of Bob / ‘RF’ Macdonald last week in Belleville, Ontario.
RF served with First Battalion, The Black Watch RHC in Camp Aldershot, West Germany and CFB Gagetown, and later with First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Details are within the obit below.

MacDonald, Major Robert “Bob”
Passed peacefully in Belleville on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in his 88th year. Beloved husband of Maxine for 65 wonderful years. Loving father of Michael (Valerie), Jeffrey (Susan), and Lori Anne. Dear grampie of Nicole (Jesse), Eric (Brooke), and Mitchell (Caitlin). Special great grampie of Lylah. Survived by his sister Judy Boyd. Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia to James and Jean MacDonald (deceased). Predeceased by siblings James, Donald, and Shirley. He will be remembered by all of his extended family and friends.
Bob excelled in high school academics and sports, playing on a number of championship teams. He rose to become the school’s army cadet corps commanding officer, a background leading to an eventual Canadian Armed Forces career.
After attending Acadia University in Nova Scotia, he joined the armed forces as a cadet in 1953 and then was commissioned as an officer in 1956. His career, along with a variety of appointments in Canada, took him to Germany 1959-60, Tanzania 1969-70, Cyprus 1974-75, the Middle East 1979-80 and the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. 1987-91.
Bob was a proud officer of the 1st Battalion Black Watch and then the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment. His appointments include:
Company Commander 1RCR
Staff officer Mobile command, HQ Montreal
Base personnel administrative officer, CFB London
Director of training staff, combat arms school, CFB Borden
Staff officer doctrine, CF training systems, CFB Trenton
Chief of staff, London militia district HQ
Regional cadet officer, CFB Trenton
Staff officer, administration/training, CDN embassy, Washington, DC
He also had pilot training and was able to solo after 7 hrs. Following a mishap with a chipmunk aircraft, he decided that career was not for him!
Retiring in 1991 after 38 years of service, Bob and Maxine chose the Belleville area for their permanent home. Bob was able to pursue his love of golf and he and Maxine had many friends to play bridge with and entertain. The continued to travel across Canada and the US and vacationed in Florida for many years.
Bob took great pride in his children, and felt blessed to be part of the early lives of his grandchildren and great granddaughter. He always had words of advice for them! He will be fondly remembered for his story telling, puns, poetry and attempts at oil painting, but more importantly for his sense of humour, generosity, and love of family.
As Bob said in his own words “It was a great life, with few regrets”
Memorial Service will be held at the Burke Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Private interment at Belleville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice

R. I. P.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Pro Patria