Peter ‘Mac’ McFarlane, 72

Retired Col. Peter Neil “Mac” McFarlane, 72, a resident of Evergreen and formerly of the Washington, D.C., area, passed away at home suddenly on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.

Mac McFarlane

Mac was born on July 31, 1938, in San Francisco, and was the only son of Euan and Elizabeth McFarlane.
Mac is survived by his beloved wife, Sheri A. McFarlane, whom he married in 1984 in Washington, D.C.; his three children, Neil, Bruce and Jill; his three grandchildren, Riley, Dylan and Ryan McFarlane (all residents of Virginia); and his sister, Ann Smith of Cortez.
Mac graduated from Colby College on an ice hockey scholarship, where he played goalie, in 1960. He then enjoyed a colorful and very satisfying 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Some highlights include tours in Vietnam, Hawaii, Panama and Okinawa. In 1990, while based in Washington, D.C., Mac retired from the military as a colonel. He was awarded many service medals, including the Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
In 1998, Mac and Sheri moved to Evergreen, and in 2002 he eventually retired from the private sector in order to golf, ski, travel, ice skate and “give back” in earnest through his membership and participation in the Foothills Rotary, the American Legion and the Elks — all of which make significant contributions to the local community. One of his most recent accomplishments was his role in planning and helping the American Legion build a Veterans Commemorative Walk in Buchanan Park. Mac was a member of the legion post Honor Guard, and he led many parades carrying the American flag, as well as participating in the honor guard for veterans’ services around the community.
Mac was a Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian of the Year. Mac ran the Rotary’s Andy Smith Sr. Special Needs Memorial Golf Tournament for seven years, raising more than $100,000 for special needs and Evergreen Christian Outreach. Most recently, he was the Foothills Rotary vice president and chair of its foundation.
Mac was a true patriot, friend, mentor, father, husband and honorable man who loved giving his time and resources to his friends, family, community and his country. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Veterans Commemorative Walk in Buchanan Park. Afterward, a celebration of Mac’s life will take place at the Evergreen Elks Lodge. At 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, Mac’s ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., with graveside full military honors.
In the spirit of charity, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 2001, P.O. Box 82, Evergreen, CO 80437-0082, which will be used to continue the construction and maintenance of the Veterans Commemorative Walk in Evergreen; or send a donation to the foundation of Mountain Foothills Rotary, P.O. Box 1918, Evergreen, CO 80437, which supports efforts such as Crutches for Africa and the Special Needs Program for Jefferson County.