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Welcome to the memorial page for
Robert James McBride
September 6, 1922 ~ October 5, 2011 (age 89) 89 Years OldShare using:
Robert J. McBride was born on September 6, 1922, in Logan, OH to Michael and Catherine McBride. After attending Logan High School, Bob entered the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 1940 and graduated Cum Laude in 1946. His Notre Dame education was interrupted when he entered Military service in the spring of 1943.
Shortly before leaving for Europe, Bob married Mary Maxine Stein of Lancaster, OH on September 27, 1944.
Bob honorably served in WWII as a machine gun squad leader in the 106th infantry division. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent 122 days as a POW going from 218 pounds to 104 pounds while in captivity. During his military service, Bob earned three battle stars, a purple heart, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon his return from WWII, Bob (who was a key member of the 1941 and 1942 Notre Dame football teams) also played in the 1946 Notre Dame National Championship team. He was also selected to play in the 1947 All Star Game against the Chicago Bears beating the Bears 16 to 0.
After spending two successful years as head football coach at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, IL, Bob returned to his alma mater as an assistant to head coach Frank Leahy.
In addition to his offensive line coaching duties on the field, Bob headed the Notre Dame recruiting program and instituted a tutoring program (with the able assistance of Dr. William Burke) to insure that every player was academically successful. Bob was a proud recipient of the Byron V. Kanaley (recognizing exemplary student-athletes/leaders) and the Harvey G. Foster Award (recognizing athletic and civic achievement.)
After leaving Notre Dame, Bob had a successful career as Executive Vice President of Artim Transportations Systems. Bob retired in 1979 and moved, with his wife , to Savannah, GA, where he volunteered as line coach at Benedictine Catholic Military High School. Bob and Mary also spent several years in Tucson, AZ before returning to South Bend in 2003.
Bob and Mary have seven children, Patrick (Marilyn), Robert (Jackie), Mary Ann (Harold Menger), Catherine (Lyle Kuhmichel), Michael (Nancy), Timothy (Patricia), and John (Eve). After 67 years of marriage, Bob and Mary have 28 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Bob was proceeded in death by his parents, Michael and Catherine Mc Bride, two sisters, Gertrude Evans and Anna Margaret Kuhn, and three brothers, Bernard, John, and Joseph Mc Bride, and two grandchildren, Sally McBride, and Dane Menger.
Bob was a man of character and faith who led by example. His wisdom and counsel touched many lives and he will be greatly missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2011 in Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 SR 933, South Bend, IN 46637. Graveside services and burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Robert may be donated to Alzheimer's & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 922 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617 or to The Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be offered to the McBride family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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