Robert A. MacNeille Jr. ’59

Born in Evanston, Ill., Bob matriculated into Princeton from Geneva (Ill.) High School and entered the School of Engineering. While at Princeton he was a member of Tower Club and was active in rugby and the Engineering Society.

After graduation he returned to Illinois, earning an MBA from Northwestern in 1961. He joined the family firm, St. Charles Manufacturing Co. (founded and run by three generations of MacNeilles), specializing in steel-case kitchen cabinetry. Bob oversaw rapid growth at St. Charles, developing a nationwide network of dealers and designers. Assuming presidency of the company in 1970, Bob expanded it to international scale.

He married Diane Ellsworth in 1962 and they settled in St. Charles, where they built a life and family together. Bob volunteered for numerous leadership positions during his career. He was a founding member of the TriCity Family Services Agency, and won the prestigious Charlemagne Award for Outstanding Service to the Community. Later in his career he founded Charlestowne Kitchen and Bath, a fully integrated residential and commercial kitchen and bath installation company serving the greater Chicago area.

Bob died peacefully April 12, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Diane; their three children, Richard, Roderick, and Amy; eight grandchildren; a brother, and two sisters. We have sent condolences.