Robert Taylor ‘Bob’ MacKenzie
Published 10:28 am Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Funeral services for Robert Taylor “Bob” MacKenzie, of West Point are 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Gunter & Peel Chapel with Pastor Mark Steiner officiating. Gunter & Peel Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of the arrangements. A graveside committal service will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Corinth National Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation is Wednesday from 1 until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. MacKenzie, age 71, died Feb. 23, 2014, at Oktibbeha County Hospital Regional Medical Center in Starkville.
He was born Dec. 21, 1942, in Trenton, N.J., to the late Robert P. and Grace Taylor MacKenzie. He received his bachelors’ degree from Arizona State University in nursing and received his CRNA training at Wilford Hall Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
He retired from the United States Air Force as a captain after 20 years and worked at Golden Triangle Regional Medical Center of Columbus, King’s Daughters Hospital of Brookhaven, Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota, and the Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic.
He was affectionately known by his family as “Pop-Pop,” was a long time resident of Columbus, and also lived in Brookhaven, for 10 years.
He enjoyed his career as a nurse anesthetist, feeling that his work was valuable to his patients. He had a variety of interests, including boating, horses, motorcycles and travel. He loved his dogs, especially Chris. He leaves behind a family that he loved dearly, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Judith Carol Myers MacKenzie of West Point; sons, Stuart MacKenzie and his wife, Kim, of French Camp, and Brian MacKenzie and his wife, Linda, of New London, N.H.; brother, Keith Stuart and his wife, Diana, of Forked River, N.J., and grandchildren, Anna Grace MacKenzie, Sara MacKenzie, Mallory MacKenzie, Coleman MacKenzie, Olivia MacKenzie, and Joshua MacKenzie.
Pallbearers will be Steve McBrayer, Dudley Bearden, Cary Myers, Calvin Myers, Dick Baeuerlin and Mike Rainer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie and Elsie Harris, Carl and Sandra Cathey, Marion Burgin, Dr. Mike Castleberry, fifth floor nurses and staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital, and third floor and ICU nurses and staff of OCH Regional Medical Center.