Robert F. MacLeod

Robert Francis MacLeod, age 76, of Harrisburg, NC, passed away at his home on the evening of Sunday, November 10, 2024, with Janice Hill MacLeod, his wife of 45 years, by his side. 

Robert was born December 14, 1947, in Boston, MA, to the late Robert R. MacLeod and Frances Kelley MacLeod. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin MacLeod Lennon; and brother, Thomas MacLeod. Survivors include his wife, Janice; brother Ralph MacLeod (Christine) of Braintree, MA; sister Gail MacLeod Osborne (Kenneth) of Brockton, MA; brother John MacLeod (Kathy) of Sharon, MA; grandsons, Liam and Mason Lennon of Hingham, MA; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in the Boston area and in the Concord/Harrisburg area; and a special childhood friend, Tim Qualter, of Hanson, MA. 

A native of Boston, MA, Robert graduated from Boston College with a degree in Social Sciences and American History. He served in the US Coast Guard June 1965 through June 1971, serving in active combat in Vietnam March 1967 through March 1969. It was there that Robert was exposed to Agent Orange, which resulted in numerous health challenges from 1993 forward. 

Relocating to North Carolina in 1975, he worked in social services and operated several businesses, the last of which was Hibernian Hall in Harrisburg, which he closed in 2012 while celebrating his 65th birthday. 

Following his own military service, Robert dedicated himself to honoring the service of veterans with volunteer work and civic undertakings. He was co-founder of Metrolina Vietnam Veterans Association and of Coast Guard Lightship Sailors Association, a National Trustee of Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, as Chairman of Cabarrus Veterans Coalition and National Chaplain of Coast Guard Lightship Sailors. 

When Harrisburg’s American Legion Post #523 was established in 2004, Robert served as its first commander, serving in that capacity several times thereafter, in addition to holding other Post officer positions. He served the Department of North Carolina’s American Legion as District 17 Vice Commander and as a member of the Department’s Legion Riders Committee. At the October 2024 meeting of Harrisburg’s American Legion Post, Robert was awarded a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his service to our country and other veterans. 

Robert’s desire to honor veterans has extended to his direct involvement in fundraising, design, erection and dedication of numerous military monuments: Vietnam Veterans monument in Monroe, NC, a monument in Kannapolis at Vietnam Veterans Park honoring Cabarrus County’s Vietnam KIAs, Coast Guard Vietnam Veteran monument in Cape May, NJ, and a monument honoring Vietnam Veterans at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. 

Instrumental in the creation of the original Veterans Park in Harrisburg at Harrisburg Town Center, he later served on the committee for the design and completion of the new Veterans Park in Harrisburg, dedicated on Veterans Day 2019. He also produced a stage play “Tracers” at NoDa Theatre in Charlotte, a powerful and unsettling account of the Vietnam War written by men who served there. Robert also chaired and performed with Act Community Theatre in Monroe and loved theatrical productions throughout his lifetime. 

Since 1975, Robert was a player and always a supporter of Charlotte Rugby Club, having served as President and on its Executive Board. Always an “Olde Original” at heart, he loved the sport and the many friends in his rugby family. He and Janice actually met at a rugby practice, and Robert loved to share that both he and Janice were members of the Rugby Hall of Fame, the only couple to hold that distinction. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 11:00 am - 12:45 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg, NC. Robert’s Celebration of Life will follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Brian Duncan. The service will be webcast:  Harrisburg Chapel Webcast.  Robert will be laid to rest with military honors at Salisbury National Cemetery at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation, PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204-0726 or to the donor’s choice. 

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the MacLeod family.