On Thursday, October 26, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. Son of the late Anna Margaret and Robert McGregor; lovingly raised by Anna Margaret and Michael Babyak; Beloved husband of Donna Donelli McGregor; Loving father of Erin (Jeff) Lisak and Tracy (Chuck) Manion; Proud Pappy of Jake and Hailey Lisak and Evan And Aubrey Manion; Brother of Christine (Russ) Venable and Larry (Nancy) Babyak.
Bob loved nature and traveling. He taught middle school in the Keystone Oaks School District for 35 years where he made a positive impact on countless lives. He also coached many sports and officiated wrestling. Bob received his undergrad degree from Slippery Rock University and his graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Bob's love of the outdoors and camping led him to start a special outdoor education program for the Keystone Oaks middle school students.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the SZAFRANSKI-EBERLEIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., where family and friends will be received on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 2-4PM and Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 3-8PM at 101 Third Street, Carnegie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in All Saints P.N.C. Church, on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 11:00AM. Following Mass, Bob will be laid to rest in All Saints P.N.C. Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob's name to:
All Saints P.N.C. Church
500 5th Street
Carnegie, PA 15106
www.szafranski-eberleinfuneralhome.com (412)276-1107
Family Florals by:
Pete Donati and Sons
(412)835-4420
Robert Carson McGregor Eulogy
By Donna McGregor
Son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach, travel agent and friend. All of these words describe Bob’s life.
He was the son of Sandy and Robert McGregor, college sweethearts. When Robert was called to answer the call during the Korean War, young Bob was 4 years old and Sandy was pregnant with Christine. Robert’s bravery won him a purple heart for giving his life for his country.
Young Bob spent a lot of time with his maternal grandparents who lived in Beaver. His grandfather worked for the railroad and taught Bob all about the trains. He often talked about how much fun it was to ride the train. This experience stayed with him his whole life.
His hobby grew from a small display under the Christmas tree to bigger and better engines and cars. Our home has 2 garages, one for the car and the other for his train platform. Many have visited his platform and were amazed. He has scenes that represent areas where he grew up and stores named after the grandkids. The detail is remarkable!
Bob’s mom remarried to Mike Babyak and soon the family was complete again with a sister Christine and a little brother Larry. He had a wonderful childhood growing up in Dormont. Bob attended Dormont High school where he played football, wrestled, sang in the choir and worked on the stage crew. His love of science took him to the Colorado School of Mines where he would major in geology and perhaps become a forest ranger. While there he realized that he didn’t like being away from family. So the next year, he attended Slippery Rock State College (his mom and dad’s alma mater). Here he earned his degree in Earth & Space Science and found his 2nd love…..Me! He had a 2nd hand jeep named Beatrice and many of our dates consisted of measuring the changing depth of Lake Moraine or gathering rocks from the many strip mines in Slippery Rock.
Bob and I married the year I graduated and he was teaching Science in a Middle School. During his life he coached many sports including wrestling, track, football, and even girls’ tennis. He loved 8th graders and often referred to them as The Hormonally Challenged. He spent the rest of his working life in 8th grade!
Bob loved the outdoors and camping. He sponsored a club at his school which encouraged students to love and respect the outdoors. Camping was a way to do that. Students learned how to make a shelter, read a compass, cook outdoors, safety when climbing rocks, and appreciating nature. It eventually led to a short camping trip and, with the support of other teachers and administration, became known as the 6th Grade Camping Trip. It was also a bonding time for the new 6th graders. Later, as students moved on to high school, many remembered that first adventure and wanted Bob to plan a big camping adventure. He did and a bus load of students and chaperones went to Yellowstone National Park.
As the father of 2 daughters, Erin and Tracy, in a different school district, they didn’t get to go on this camping trip but there were many other trips planned for them. Mostly educational of course, except when we went to Myrtle Beach where grandparents could spoil them a bit. Photos help us to remember all those places and happy times.
Our grandchildren Jake, Evan, Hailey, and Aubrey were his pride and joy. He loved going to their recitals, sporting events, and supporting all their interests. Sitting and talking with them on the back porch gave us great pleasure.
Raised in the Methodist Church, Bob found All Saints a little hard to get used to. But, he attended, helped out when he could, and walked both our daughters down the aisle. He became a board member and helped with fundraising and problem solving. He became very good at pierogi dough making and organized several of our pierogi making days.
As retired teachers, we both had the time and opportunity to travel. Bob was a great planner. He and our best friends and travel buddies arranged unbelievable trips both in the US and abroad. Places we never thought we would see.
I pray that the journey he’s on right now, with God leading the way, will someday bring us all together again.
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