Our sincerest condolences to the family for their immeasurable loss. We moved in next door to Bob and Katie last year and became friends immediately. We will cherish and miss our easygoing interactions with Bob outside. He was so kind. Our 3 year old daughter was very fond of him and would always ask about Bob. May he rest in peace. 


Sincerely,
The McNew family.

Ed, prayers and condolences to you and your family.  May GOD continue to cover and strengthen you all during this difficult time.

Michele Washington
BRC

"Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one." 

Sending Prayers for you and your family.

I am blessed for the time spent with Bob at the many Ryan family events we attended together - picnics, weddings, reunions and holiday gatherings.   As a young man, at that time, from a small family marrying into such a large family, I would have been overwhelmed had it not been for Bob's steadying, friendly and welcoming presence.   The more we got to know each other, the more interests we found we had in common.  Bob's generous spirit and curiosity shined through our conversations which ranged from family matters to occupations to investing and technology.   Somehow we were never at a loss for words.  Thank you, Bob, for your friendship, for your graciousness during our altogether too infrequent visits to the Outer Banks and for all the time you made for Mary and I and our boys.   You will be greatly missed.

Mr. Bob was the distance learning facilitator at Cape Hatteras Secondary School, which meant he had a hand in at least 1/3 of my high school education. From Latin 1 in 9th grade through multiple AP courses and electives, scarcely a day went by when his smiling (or sometimes grumpy, pre-caffeinated) face wasn't a mainstay of my day.

I used to play little pranks on him throughout the day - hiding his stapler or coffee mug on a library shelf was my favorite - and banteringly argue with him given any chance. He took it all in stride and laughed along. He had a big laugh and an even bigger smile. 

What I recall most about my time as one of Mr. Bob's pupils was his encouragement and enthusiasm for guiding students toward their academic passions. He always found time to proofread or critique anything I needed help on. When I began applying to colleges, he happily wrote a recommendation letter for me; but he went a step further. He gave me a copy of the letter. It was one of the most glowing personal endorsements I have ever seen. Along with my diploma, my cap, and my copy of "Oh the Places You'll Go", I still have that letter tucked away in a safe place.

Mr. Bob saw the potential in me and so many of my classmates. I feel honored to have known him, and blessed to count him among my mentors and influences. He will be dearly missed in this life.

K. Elaine Hooper
CHSS Class of 2006

It is with love, prayers, and affection that I pray for your comfort and healing at this loss. 

Uncle Bob, as I knew him, was a joy to be with. His smile and kind demeanor always made me feel good. My favorite memory of Uncle Bob was when I was in my mid-twenties and we introduced him to our first son, who was about 1 or 2 years old.  We had a toy for our son called a Bubble Ball. When you turned it on, it would shake and bounce around. It would make our son laugh. But when Uncle Bob would pick up the ball, Uncle Bob would shake and bounce around, and man, it made my son and everyone else in the room "belly laugh". 

Uncle Bob was one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met. He always asked questions, and he wanted to hear about what was going on in your life. I also remember when I was called into ministry as a Baptist Minister, he was doing some genealogy research and sent me documentation that let me know I had some Baptist roots. The document showed that my great-grandfather, some six generations back, hosted and started the first Baptist church on his property in the State of Maryland. Pretty cool!

We will miss him, just as everyone else who knew him.  May you rest in peace, and thank you for all the love you showed. Well done, Uncle Bob!
John & Michelle Mackall

Many thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

He was my classmate at Saint Anselm's in Washington DC. I remember him as a big guy that could hit a baseball a mile.
He was always smiling; always positive; always caring.
When I grow up I want to be like him. 
Xavier Suarez 
Saint Anselm’s class of 1967.
Former mayor of Miami.

OBITUARY

Robert Alan Mackall

31 January, 1949 – 4 July, 2025

Cotten Funeral Home

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