Robert (Bob) Macfarlane

Robert (Bob) Macfarlane, 91, beloved husband, father, and Papa, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 24, 2023.  He was at home in Ruidoso, New Mexico surrounded by his family.

Bob was born in Utah on May 18, 1932, to parents John and Nora Macfarlane.  He grew up on a fruit farm in Pleasant Grove, Utah where he learned the value of hard work whether he was picking fruit, milking the cows, or tending to his horses and lambs.  He was the youngest of the family and his siblings included one sister and three brothers.

He graduated from the University of Utah business school in 1954 where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and in ROTC.  He then served in the army for two years after the Korean War and continued to serve in the reserves for another ten years.  He rose to the rank of Captain.

Susan caught the eye of Bob, and a friend encouraged him to ask her out on a date.  They dated for two years and were married at the Fort Douglas Post Chapel in Salt Lake City on June 11, 1960.  Two daughters, Marianne, and Julie, followed.

Bob was a loyal employee and worked at the El Paso Natural Gas Company, retiring after 33 years as a Marketing Manager.  Starting in Salt Lake City, his career moved him to El Paso, Texas where he worked until his retirement in 1992.

Missing the mountains of Utah, Ruidoso became a part of his life when he and Sue bought a small cabin in 1975 where the family enjoyed many weekends and holidays skiing, hiking, and playing board games.  A permanent move was made to Ruidoso in 1996.

Sports was one of his passions and he maintained physical activity up until the end, enjoying classes at the Ruidoso Athletic Club.  Bob played many sports in high school (with baseball being his favorite), ran track at the University of Utah, then throughout his life, played handball, golf, and tennis.

Travel and friends were also important to him, and he and Sue often combined the two whether it was traveling in the United States or around the world.  He made many lifelong friends from all phases of his life.

Bob had a strong faith, loved to serve at church and do mission work in other countries.  He was a life-long learner of the Bible and particularly enjoyed the life of David.  One of his favorite verses was Psalm 118:24:  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  He did rejoice in life every day and lived it to the fullest, loving his family, growing in faith with his church family, spending time with friends, taking care of his pets, tending to his immaculate garden, and reading books, especially Sherlock Holmes and biographies.

His family will always remember him for making Swedish pancakes, being the official dishwasher, walking and driving quickly, doing crossword puzzles and sudoku, loving ice cream, and laughing at Woodstock and Snoopy. But mostly “Papa Mac” will be remembered for the wisdom and kindness he imparted through the strength and consistency of his character.  “I love Bob, he’s so kind” was a phrase his family heard repeated often.

He is survived by Susan, his wife of 63 years, daughter Marianne, son-in-law Don, grandson Jacob and his wife Megan, daughter Julie, granddaughter Jordan, grandsons Troy and Kyle, his beloved sister-in-law Jane, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso, New Mexico at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the First Christian Church of Ruidoso for the Bob Macfarlane Memorial Fund.

Direct Cremation provided by New Dawn Cremations.

When peace, like a river attendeth my way
When sorrow like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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