Robert C. MacVeigh

Robert Charles Mac Veigh, age 93. Born in Chicago, IL to the late Francis and Adelaide (Sweeny) Mac Veigh, Bob grew up in the Cincinnati area. He is survived by his eight children, Kathleen Schweitzer (Ellis), Michael MacVeigh (Micheal), TJ MacVeigh (Amy), Shauna Chen (James), Heather Ward (Scott), Matthew MacVeigh, Jeremy MacVeigh (Anna), and Evan MacVeigh, as well as 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a large extended family of nieces and nephews and their families living in the Cincinnati area. He was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Richard P. and J. Gibbs MacVeigh, and by a son who died in infancy. He was the former husband of Mary Alice (Harris) MacVeigh and Poppy Evans.

An avid runner, Bob began his love of running at Purcell High School where he was captain of both the track and cross country teams. He continued track and cross country at the University of Cincinnati where he set three school records, in the 440, ½ mile relay, and mile relay. He received a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from UC in 1953 before being drafted into the Army. He served two years at Fort Knox, KY and ran on the Army track team there. After the Army, Bob attended Xavier University and completed his MBA in 1958.

In 1956, Bob was hired by Federated Department Stores in their Research Department and in 1960 accepted an offer to work in their Boston office. He was the Research Director for Federated in Boston and later the Assistant Controller for Filene’s. Bob enjoyed living and working in the Boston area, settling his family in Needham, MA. It was on a track in Needham that Bob met John Linscott, a fellow runner, who became a lifelong friend. Bob joined the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and ran his first Boston Marathon in 1960. He went on to run eleven Boston Marathons. Bob founded the BAA Masters Team and in 1972 he made the U.S. Masters Team, placing 8th in the 400 meters at the World Masters Championship in London.

Bob’s career with Federated took him back to Cincinnati in 1977 and he lived there the rest of his life. He was heavily involved in track and race events in the Cincinnati area. He helped plan the first Cincinnati Heart Association Mini Marathon of which he was the Race Director for 14 years. He utilized his many connections in the track world to raise the prestige of Cincinnati’s Mini Marathon. He ran regularly until the age of 70 and continued to follow the sport and cheer on runners for the rest of his life. In 2017, Bob received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Cincinnati Running Hall of Fame.

In addition to his contributions in track and cross country programs and various races, Bob served as the President of the Council on Aging Board and the St. Teresa Home for the Aged Board. In 1988, Bob was named one of 200 Greatest Living Cincinnatians.

Bob loved to travel, especially by rail. He enjoyed many trips to Europe and always had advice for anyone looking for adventure abroad. He had a sharp memory throughout his life and would gladly recount his many trips. He was also a voracious reader, finishing a few books a week. This love of learning and books served him well during the last years of his life.

A memorial service and celebration of Bob’s life will be held sometime later this year, and details will be shared when available.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon online at https://tinyurl.com/HeartDonationsBobMacVeigh or by mailing a check to American Heart Association, 5211 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227.

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