Robert Atmore MacDonald

MacDonald, Robert Atmore 2/24/1928 - 4/30/2015 Robert Atmore MacDonald was born in Swedish Hospital, Minneapolis, MN on 2/24/28. His early childhood was spent growing up and living in Mound, MN. Following the untimely death of his father, Robert moved to Aldrich Avenue in Minneapolis to complete his education and graduate from Minneapolis West High School in 1946. From the time he was fifteen, Robert worked for J.M. Bennett Wholesale Jewelers. He began as an apprentice jewelry salesman in the fall of 1946. Over the ensuing four years, he traveled extensively in Minnesota, Wisconsin and both North and South Dakota. In July of 1950, Robert and a partner founded a recognition company that became the forerunner of Business Incentives, Inc. (later to be entitled B.I., Inc). On Aug. 23, 1960, while boating on the St. Croix River, Robert sustained a damaging spinal cord injury in a diving accident. The injury left him a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Following a year of rehabilitation, Robert returned to work at B.I. In 1962, Robert and an investment group of friends bought Animal Fair, Inc. which subsequently merged into B.I., Inc. Robert's first marriage blessed him with daughters Nancy and Barbara. On August 1, 1964 Robert married Yvonne E. Morrow, who brought her two children Judith and James to the union. Robert retired in 1979 when he sold his interest in B.I. Inc. to his partner. From that point forward he invested in a shopping center, served on corporate and hospital boards and began to pursue in earnest his passion for furthering the cause of the handicapped by working diligently in conjunction with charitable organizations that specialized in rehabilitation. Served as board member, board chairman, lifetime member after serving three successive terms '76-'83 at Sister Kenny Institute. Served as a member of the Courage Center Foundation Board, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Board, Gillette Children's Hospital Board & Foundation. He served on corporate boards and was influential in organizing Hilltop Church, Summit Place, Eden Prairie, MN. Following his 1979 retirement, Robert established two separate endowment trusts; one at Courage Center, the other at Sister Kenny Institute. To this day, The Robert A. and Yvonne E. MacDonald Trusts continue to fund an annual Employee Recognition Banquet, benefits rehabilitation care for patients and provides a means for employees and management alike to participate in a diverse selection of ongoing educational opportunities. During retirement, Bob and Yvonne enjoyed a number of years residing in northern Minnesota at their year-around homes in Backus and then on Gull Lake. They took pleasure beyond measure in traveling and sharing time with their four children, twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne E. MacDonald; father, William Atmore MacDonald; mother, Annie Matilda MacDonald; stepfather, Arthur M. Chesher; brothers, William B. and George A. MacDonald; sister-in-law, Vera MacDonald and son-in-law, Michael Dugan. He is survived by daughters, Nancy J. (Frank) Jordan of Delano, MN, Barbara M. Dugan of Wayzata, MN; stepson, James D. Morrow (fiancee Brenda Daly) of Hudson, WI; stepdaughter, Judith L. (Laurence) Callahan of Minocqua, WI; 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew. Memorial service 2 pm Wednesday, May 6, 2015 with visitation one hour prior to service at Eden Prairie United Methodist Church, 15050 Scenic Heights Road, Eden Prairie. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions be made to The Robert A. and Yvonne E. MacDonald Endowment Trust, Courage Kenny Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55422. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Robert Atmore MacDonald

April 30, 2015

Tributes

Robert Atmore MacDonald

April 30, 2015

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