MCDONALD, Robert Delos

MCDONALD, Robert Delos. (Dubuque, IA, Jan 30, 1931--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 2, 2006). The son of Delos Lyon and Virginia (Kolck) McDonald, Robert was educated at BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Kemper Military School in Missouri, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Iowa where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He then enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during the KOREAN CONFLICT, reaching the rank of Lieutenant J.G. He returned to Dubuque to work for the family business, A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY. He married married Marilyn Miller Kempthorne on July 4, 1978, at Fountain Hill.

Robert served in many capacities throughout his fifty-year career with the company, including sales manager, Dubuque branch manager and corporate secretary. He became president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the company in 1985 and served in this capacity until 1995. He remained chairman of the board until his retirement in 2003. He served as chairman of the board emeritus until his passing. He was involved in many trade organizations in the gas and water works industries.

Robert D. McDonald contributed greatly to many community projects. He served on the boards of STONEHILL CARE CENTER, Stonehill Benevolent Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION, United Way, DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Grand Opera House Foundation, Iowa College Foundation, Terrace Hill Foundation, Regional Advisory Council of the Small Businessman's Association and the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. He served as an Iowa State Historical Society trustee and a member of the board of directors of the A. Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company Charitable Foundation. He also was a member of the American Legion, Dubuque Post 6, DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY and the DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB. He was a charter member of the National Council of Republicans.

A direct descendant of Andrew Young MCDONALD, R. D. McDonald, proud of his CIVIL WAR ancestor Andrew Young MCDONALD, was a co-founder with Brad McGowan of the Save Iowa's Civil War Monument Foundation. (1) The Monument involved was the Iowa Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the grounds of the Capitol in Des Moines. McDonald was instrumental in getting the foundations 501c tax exempt status and one year set it up so that McGowan would be the Memorial Day speaker at LINWOOD CEMETERY. (2)

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Source:

1. "Huzzah to McDonald for 140 Years," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 29, 1996, p. 4. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Mp9dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6lwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3412,5444635&dq=ay+mcdonald+manufacturing+company&hl=en

2. Brad McGowan, e-mail, March 13, 2018

2. Ta, Linh, "Civil War Monument Gets a Fresh Start," WCF Courier.com. May 24, 2013. Online: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/iowa-civil-war-monument-gets-a-fresh-start/article_30157545-2a5f-511f-a6ae-f412b756253d.html

3. "Robert Delos McDonald." http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=75740245