Robert Gordon MacDonald, 82, of Gordon, died Friday, February 18, 2022, surrounded by his loving daughters. He was born in Superior on December 30, 1939.

Robert's life was a grand adventure. In true Scot fashion, his kin are left to wonder where the true adventures lie and where they blurred into the grander tale. Per tradition, this lore will continue to be re-told to future generations of MacDonalds.

This, we know is true. Little Robbie was the fourth child of seven, the first son of Russell and Katherine (Gordon) MacDonald, and born in Superior, WI. He was welcomed into a large and loving family to see the final day of the 1930's.

Robb grew up on Oakes Avenue and went to Howe school. During the summers, he spent time with his Grandma and Grandpa Gordon out in Gordon, WI. He graduated from Central High School in 1959. Like many in his father's family before him, he was a mariner at heart. He left Superior to sail the Great Lakes, the Bering and South China Seas, Panama and Suez Canals, and the Indian Ocean. An experienced mariner, he worked as a merchant marine bringing cargo to U.S. troops in Vietnam during the 1960's.

In 1971, Robb met and married Nancy Louise Nelson, also from Superior. They moved to Saint Louis Park, MN where four girls were born to them in 7½ years. They were married for 16 years.

Throughout the 1970's, he owned and ran a Clark gas station on Lake Street in South Minneapolis. Always looking to try something new; in 1981, he purchased an 1840's farm homestead in Hammond, WI and moved his family there. When farming in the mid-1980's proved to be difficult – he set his sights on Las Vegas, NV. With new opportunities in store, Robb worked as a cab driver and then at Sam's Town Casino until his retirement in 1999. Immediately following, he moved back to Northwestern WI to be closer to his girls and extended family. He purchased an older property in Gordon and completely renovated it to suit his needs. The world traveler was content. He lived out the remainder of his life under the dark star filled nights and lazy sun-drenched days in his family's town.

Preceding him in death are his very dear grandparents, Joseph & Sarah Gordon and Rachel (Angus) MacDonald; his parents, Katherine & Russell MacDonald, his beloved sisters Bonnie Rae and Kay Adair, and nephew Bradley Lagro.

He is survived by a multitude of family. His four daughters who will dearly miss him: Sarah (John) Selleck, Molly (Rick) Warring, Kate (Chad) Pavlich and Bonnie (Charlie) Maliska. His 7 grandchildren, who were his pride and joy; Daniel, Tyler, Suzanne, Evelyn, Joshua, Jackson and Cameran. His siblings; Sue Tofteland, Doug (Mary) MacDonald, Warren MacDonald, Cam (Judy) MacDonald. And many more cousins, nieces and nephews - whom he truly adored.

His life will be celebrated in a private family memorial in Gordon this summer.

The rest of his story's details are all speculative. His knowledge, wit, wisdom and grandiose tales will be sorely missed… but, of course, will be dutifully carried on.

"Old too soon, smart too late… I should have stayed at sea." RGM 1/5/2021.