On March 6, 1921, a frosty morning, Robert Paul Macina was born at home in Wheeler County, Texas. In order to become the first surviving child of Bessie and Paul Macina, he was incubated in a roasting pan near the oven of a wood-burning cook stove. He still claimed to be cold when he diedContinue Reading
Tribute Video
On March 6, 1921, a frosty morning, Robert Paul Macina was born at home in Wheeler County, Texas. In order to become the first surviving child of Bessie and Paul Macina, he was incubated in a roasting pan near the oven of a wood-burning cook stove. He still claimed to be cold when he died on May 5, 2015.Bob grew up in the Pakan, a Lutheran farming community founded by his maternal grandfather, Samuel Pakan and ten other families of Slovakian descent. He attended a one-room school through eighth grade as well as the Lutheran Church just down the road from where he was born. Bob graduated from McLean High School and then began college at Texas Tech. His education was interrupted by his enlisting in the Navy in August of 1942. He served as a United States Navy Corpsman from then until he was honorably discharged in January of 1946.As a Second Class Navy Corpsman, he was assigned to a Marine combat unit. On February 23, 1945, Bob was treating the wounded about a block away from where Joe Rosenthal snapped his Pulitzer prize- winning photograph; Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.After the war, Bob’s ship docked at San Diego, California. Like hundreds of enlisted men, Bob and a fellow Corpsman proudly wore their Navy uniforms and stuck out their thumbs hoping to hitch a ride to Texas. After several hours with no luck, Bob and his buddy darted behind a highway billboard; changed into their Marine uniforms and were promptly picked up.Bob resumed his studies at Texas Tech and when he graduated with a degree in Geology, he moved to Midland.In 1950, Bob and two other partners formed Permian Logging Company and worked in the well logging business until 1992.On April 12, 1952, Bob married Sarah Ann Lockwood. They were married for 63 years and had three daughters.Bob was an avid fisherman all of his life. He enjoyed catching bass and crappie on Lake Buchanan and trout in Eagle Nest, New Mexico.Bob is survived by his sisters: Helen Cullers and Tina Anderson; his brother, Paul Macina; daughter, Mary Macina Durham and her husband, Tom; daughter Kathy Macina Harrison and her husband, Roy; grandchildren, Jennifer Harrison Thompson, and her husband, J.P.; David Harrison, Caitlin Durham and Josh Durham.He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Peyton, Parker and Paxton Thompson.He is preceded in death by his wife Sarah; his brother, Dan Macina; and his daughter, Susan Macina.Services will be held May 8th at 2:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Pase officiating. Interment will be at Pakan Cemetery in Shamrock, Texas at 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 9thIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob to the Baumann Scholarship Fund at Grace Lutheran Church.,
An environmentally friendly option.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.
