Obituary of Dr. Robert H. McDonald

Dr. Robert H. McDonald (Bob), 88, of Fox Chapel, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 12, 2022, surrounded by members of his family. Born in Cincinnati, OH on November 15, 1933, he was the son of Robert H. McDonald and Olivia McDonald. He was a devoted husband to his first wife, Joan G. McDonald until her death in 1995, and then to Mary Beth Duffy who died in 2008. He is survived by his son Sean (Elizabeth) and daughter Mary Bridget McDonald and five grandchildren including Liam, Angus and Fionn McDonald, and Sean and Olivia Settle. He is also survived by his sister, Sr. Carol Marie McDonald. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Edward John McDonald. Bob attended Xavier University (where he was honored as a distinguished alumnus) and received his medical degree from Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. Bob went on to complete his residency at the University of Pittsburgh and a fellowship at Emory University in Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology. In 1963, he served in the Public Health Corps at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. After finishing his tour at NIH, he accepted a fellowship position at University College, London between 1965-1966. Upon returning to the states, he was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh in Clinical Pharmacology where he spent the next 34 years as a dedicated and prolific researcher (publishing over 100 academic papers), clinician, and professor in the medical school. In 1997 he became a full tenured professor in the School of Medicine and in 1983 he also became a Professor of Epidemiology at the Graduate School or Public Health. From 1978 to 1979 he served as acting Chairman of Medicine. Bob had other interests beyond medical research. In 1979, he received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Ten years later he, along with his son, founded Automated Healthcare, a pharmacy robotics company which went on to be acquired by McKesson in 1996. After retiring from Pitt he started his “second career” as a master woodworker and cabinetmaker, creating beautiful pieces for family and friends. His crowning achievement as woodworker, however, was the creation of a new altar for his home parish known then as St. Bede’s. Bob’s faith was central to his identity. He gave both time and treasure to causes he felt made the world a better place including several Catholic charities and organizations dedicated to social justice. He also volunteered hundreds of hours treating the medically underserved at a clinic run by the Salvation Army on the Southside. Friends will be received on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McCabe Bros. Inc Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut Street, Shadyside. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, St. Bede Church in Point Breeze on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 am. If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (https://pittsburghfoodbank.org). Condolences may be left at www.mccabebrothers.com