Robert John "Bob" McDonald passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2016 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND, at the age of 74 after a 14-month journey from a fateful accident resulting in a spinal injury and quadriplegia.

Robert was born on January 19, 1942 in Minot to John and Irma (Grilley) McDonald. He was the eldest of 3 children. His brother Bill and sister Peggy were also dear friends to him throughout his life. He graduated from Deering High School in 1960, attended Minot State University long enough to meet his first love, then joined the Navy and was stationed in Kingsville, TX. He returned for a weekend to marry Marjorie "Marge" (Larson) in July of 1967, then they returned to Texas to have their first 2 children. A promotion moved them to Colorado Springs, CO where their 3rd child was born. Another opportunity moved them to Billings, MT before they returned to North Dakota where he worked as the Manager of the Air Traffic Control Tower in Minot from 1979 to 1997.

Bob was always a humble and caring man and was quick to lend a hand. He loved to volunteer his time and talent at Little Flower Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus (where he was a member for over 50 years as well as a 4th Degree Knight and Grand Knight), Bishop Ryan High School, God's Child and Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry. He was also a member of the American Legion for over 50 years, President of the Minot Vocations Club and a member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum. He called these experiences his wee bits of heaven on earth.

Bob was a faithful child of God throughout his life. He served Little Flower Church, his second home, in many capacities, built houses and comforted orphan babies in Guatemala and made pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia to receive spiritual healing from the Virgin Mary. During one of those trips, he met his second love, Karen (Duchscherer). He attended several silent weekend retreats in Demontreville, MN with his son Steve to pray and reflect on his life, and it was there in 2013 that he received a message from God that he and Karen should be married. They were married in July of 2013 and had a wonderful blended family and have spent several very happy years together. Additionally, he was regular attendee of daily Mass and was always volunteering with a faithful group of friends. His faith in God has been his rock throughout life, with a special reverence and devotion to Mary and St. Jude-the patron saint of lost causes. His prayers have been a source of strength for all of us throughout his life.

Bob was a kind, gentle and loving soul to each of us during times of joy or hardship. Bob embraced community and shared a big love for people. He loved his work at the air traffic control tower and all of the people with whom he worked. He joined the airport coffee club on a daily basis and enjoyed the wonderful camaraderie of this group of friends, who honored him with the title of Grand Poobah. Bob loved golfing, Monday Night Men\'s league and even took up a hobby of building golf clubs for a time. He was an avid reader, gardener, walker and cyclist.

Bob's loving family includes: his second wife Karen, children and grandchildren: Steve and Jennifer McDonald and their 3 children: Cooper, Brynn and Quinn of Minnetonka, MN; Chris and Seth Peter, and their 2 children: Eli and Oscar of Minneapolis, MN and Pam McDonald and Kevin Chang and their 3 children: Kennedy, Isadora and Winona of New Brighton, MN; brother and sister and their families: Bill and Carol McDonald of Deering, ND and Peggy and Paul Christianson of Glenburn; step-children: Keith and Tiffany Degenstein and their 4 children: Riley, Conner, Aidan and Harper; Cary Degenstein and his son Cooper (Jessica Kunkel); Kelly Degenstein; Krista and Austin Emerson and Kirk Degenstein. Bob also leaves a loving mother-in-law, Agnes Duchscherer, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law and their families, including Marvin Larson, Paul and Jane Larson, Lyle Jeglum, Bea (Bernie) Huss, Betty (Wayne) Martin, Harold (Lori) Duchscherer, Harry (Brenda) Duchscherer and Brian Duchscherer.

Bob is preceded in death by his first wife; Marjorie "Marge" McDonald and his parents; Irma and John McDonald of Deering, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, January 2, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Little Flower's capital campaign or the donor's choice.