Celebrating the life of
Robert T. "Bob" McAlister
November 22, 1944 - November 06, 2015
Robert “Bob” Theron McAlister, age 70, died peacefully in his home on Friday, November 6, 2015. He was born in Salina, Kansas on November 22, 1944. Being in a military family he grew up living in various places such as Germany, Japan and Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and later received his Master’s in Political Science from the University of Georgia.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Watson McAlister; step-son, Jim McAlister; step-daughters, Christy Hannaford Connor (Scott) of Atlanta, GA and Holly Hannaford. He is also the proud Grandpa of Evan McAlister, Katelynn Dague and Matthew and Brandon Connor. Bob is also survived by his two brothers, Michael McAlister of Savannah and Larry McAlister (Ruby) of Elon, NC; sister, Susan Haar of Weisloch, Germany; aunts, Elma Claire Steinbach of Clay Center, KS, and Avis Bruster of Norfolk, NE; and uncle, Gene Tromble of Woodland, KS, and several nieces and nephews.
Bob McAlister has lived in Savannah since 1974, when he became the Budget Director for the City of Savannah, winning national awards for several years for his outstanding budget presentations. He served as Chief of Staff for Mayor Susan Weiner, and later became a lobbyist for Chatham County, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum and Nurse Practitioners. He believed passionately in serving the community and making a difference.
His flare for entrepreneur adventures lead to the establishment of Savannah’s Bed and Breakfast Inn, one of the oldest (and, of course, best) B&Bs in the area. The Inn has been featured numerous times on the DNA Christmas Tour of Homes as well as the NOGS tour of hidden downtown gardens.
Local entanglements included the Coastal Scottish Heritage Society, St. Andrews Society, the St. Patrick’s Day parade committee, Leadership Savannah and the Navy League. He was the first President of the Coastal Heritage Society for five years. He initiated organization of the first Asian Festival while in the Mayor’s office. Bob served on the Board of the Georgia International Maritime Trade Center and is past President of the Board of the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless. His long term involvement with the Downtown Neighborhood Association was recently awarded with a Counselor Emeritus recognition.
But that is the ordinary stuff, and Bob was anything but ordinary! He had the amazing ability to talk to anyone about anything and actually know what he was talking about! His ability to absorb information, process it and share it was phenomenal - one of the things that made him such a wonderful friend and conversationalist. He relished discussions of history, cultures, politics and various religions. For him, a dinner party was a success if no one left before 11 p.m. because there was such great conversation around the table.
Bob was a great story teller, a thoughtful decision maker and a well respected businessman. He embraced diversity, traveled the world with a keen observation of his surroundings and entertained family and friends with his humor and creativity. Being an avid reader, he amassed a personal collection of over 10,000 books. He was featured on Book TV in June of 2011, “A Tour of Bob McAlister’s Private Book Collection.” Political strategizing was a subject he excelled in and he was often “the Go To Man” for local and state candidates, politicians and voters alike. Sitting in the courtyard at the Inn, smoking a cigar, and chatting with friends was an ideal afternoon well spent. He will be missed by the many whose lives were fortunate enough to be touched by his.
Remembrances may be made to Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy, 517 East Congress Street, Savannah, GA 31401.
Visitation will be 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Memorial Mass will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 15, 2015 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Deepest sympathy to Bob's family on his passing. I once spent a fascinating morning with Bob as he gave me a personal tour of his inn and explained in great detail how and where he acquired various objects. What started out as breakfast meeting lasted well beyond lunch and Bob still had not run out of stories! Cindy Bresson
- Cindy Bresson, Alliance, OH
Dear Mary and Bob's many friends. Regrets for just learning of Bob's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. So many wonderful memories of Bob...the great dinners during the 1980's on Gordon Street, the trip to the Yucatan and Oaxaca, the constant search for antiques, the wise counsel that he always shared with me, his fond regard for and care of Bill Decker during Bill's last days plus their ceaseless discussions about India and the US Civil War, and Bob's larger than life stories and adventures. Bob was large part of my life during my 11 years in Savannah. His death is a real loss for so many folk and the community.
- Deborah Stevens Hamilton, Blacksburg, VA
Bob was a great man, friend and cousin. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences to all the family. Time spent with Bob was time well spent. Have many good memories.
- John and Kim Tromble, Tucson, Az
Mary, our condolences to you and Bob's family members and many friends. I was blessed to have been able to enjoy Bob's humor and friendship for over 40 years. He will be surely missed by all who knew him. I will remember our friendship, Scottish "debates" and meals over the past forty years. I almost got him to forget about the little altercation in Scotland over 600 years ago between the Campbell, McAlister and McDonald Clans. He once told me (in humor) that I was the only "Campbell" that he would honor by visiting my home and also being invited to his home. Don't know where all the decades went! The grace of our LORD was abundant in Bob's life and he has now traveled on to dwell in his heavenly home. He will be missed by all who knew him. Sincerely, Bill and Debbie Saxman (Campbell Clan)
- Bill and Debbie Saxman, Savannah, GA
I was so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. For many years I knew him as a friend of my boss's, then got to know Mary and Holly as well. My involvement with the Savannah Scottish Games many years ago allowed me to see a different side of Bob, and he was always a very interesting and well-spoken man, always caring and inquisitive. His presence will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
- Judy Williams, Savannah, GA
So long Bob, Your were a great neighbor and friend those many years on Gordon Row. Our personal history is long and deep and I will forever cherish memories of you friend.
- Steve Berg, Midway, GA, g
Bob, was a great friend and he was always helping other people. He will be greatly missed for his stories, adventures, humor, and helping hand. It will be a more boring world without Bob.
- Joe Vestal, Savannah, Ga
Had the pleasure of knowing Bob as a neighbor and associate for over 20 years. Bob was highly intelligent and anytime you encountered him, he always has such an open-to-you mannerism that was kind, gracious and welcoming. He had a sort of quiet way, but jovial and will miss seeing him with his cigar in hand. It is hard to believe he's gone. He was a real "Keeper" of things in Savannah and in life. He was a true person in all of the meaning of that.
- Shannon Scott, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to here about the loss of Bob. He was such a sincere and sweet man. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
- Nick Dague, Hollywood, FL
Very sad news. Our sympathies are with Mary and family. Bob was an enthusiastic force in Savannah and he will be missed by the causes with whom he worked. His friends will miss his charm and generosity; he was so knowledgeable and well read, it was a delight being in conversation with him. Many of the staff at The Inn have been with him for years, they will miss his guiding hand. We have many fond memories of times with Mary and Bob both in Savannah and England. We have enjoyed road trips with him visiting Civil War and other historical sites, he was an excellent tour guide.
- Phyl & Geoff Kerry, London,
Mary and family, Please accept our condolences for your (and our community's) loss. Let's remember Bob's joyous enthusiasm for life, conversation, challenge, and fun! Love, Marsha and Don Moore
- Marsha and Don Moore, Savannah, Ga
Mary - So very sorry for your loss. Bob had a great ability to be interested and present whenever I had the occasion to see him. I still have a photograph of him holding a 3-month old Aidan at one of the Men's Dinner Clubs that Bill hosted. Aidan is now 15!!! - Susan, Aidan and Sheridan Broker
- Susan Broker, Savannah, GA
Bob was an interesting man with lots of good stories, he made me laugh many times. My thoughts are with you all. Condolences to everyone whom he touched. Jan Musgrove
- Jan Musgrove, Fredericksburg , Texas
I am deeply saddened of the passing of Bob, he was a man of many stories of just about any subject you can imagine. I used to come over and bring a cigar or two and we would sit in the court yard smoking,talking and changing the world. He was a dedicated husband, father, friend and mentor. He will be missed deeply.
- Dennis Reed, statesboro, ga
I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Bob was always so encouraging and enthusiastic about any endeavor we were involved with together, and very supportive. I suspected he had health issues, but he never dwelled on that but instead was interested in the lives and accomplishments of those around him. I will miss him.
- Courtney flexon, Vidalia, Ga
You all are in my prayers. I will miss Bob. Hard to believe he is gone. I'm so thankful for being included in your family's events because I have so many great memories of him. I hope he knew just how special he was to all of us. I know we were all special to him. Love you guys!
- Debbie Hanna, Savannah, GA
You all are in my prayers. I will miss Bob. Hard to believe he is gone. I'm so thankful for being included in your family's events because I have so many great memories of him. I hope he knew just how special he was to all of us. I know we were all special to him. Love you guys!
- Debbie Hanna, Savannah, GA
My condolence to Mary and family on the passing of a larger than life person, I had the good fortune to have known.
- Harley Leonard, Old Albertviille, WI
Hard to believe he's gone. He was so full of life. Probably the Man above had a higher calling for him. Rest in Peace, Bob. We will remember the good times.
- Tricia Ray, Savannah, GA
We are deeply saddened by Bob's passing. He was a good friend and a rare person with a big heart. We will miss his stories, common sense and sly wit. We offer our sincere condolences to Mary and his family. With Love, Charles & D'Lee
- Charles & D'Lee Ringling, Richmond Hill, Ga
Deepest sympathy to Bob's family on his passing. I once spent a fascinating morning with Bob as he gave me a personal tour of his inn and explained in great detail how and where he acquired various objects. What started out as breakfast meeting lasted well beyond lunch and Bob still had not run out of stories! Cindy Bresson
- Cindy Bresson, Alliance, OH
Dear Mary and Bob's many friends. Regrets for just learning of Bob's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. So many wonderful memories of Bob...the great dinners during the 1980's on Gordon Street, the trip to the Yucatan and Oaxaca, the constant search for antiques, the wise counsel that he always shared with me, his fond regard for and care of Bill Decker during Bill's last days plus their ceaseless discussions about India and the US Civil War, and Bob's larger than life stories and adventures. Bob was large part of my life during my 11 years in Savannah. His death is a real loss for so many folk and the community.
- Deborah Stevens Hamilton, Blacksburg, VA
Bob was a great man, friend and cousin. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences to all the family. Time spent with Bob was time well spent. Have many good memories.
- John and Kim Tromble, Tucson, Az
Mary, our condolences to you and Bob's family members and many friends. I was blessed to have been able to enjoy Bob's humor and friendship for over 40 years. He will be surely missed by all who knew him. I will remember our friendship, Scottish "debates" and meals over the past forty years. I almost got him to forget about the little altercation in Scotland over 600 years ago between the Campbell, McAlister and McDonald Clans. He once told me (in humor) that I was the only "Campbell" that he would honor by visiting my home and also being invited to his home. Don't know where all the decades went! The grace of our LORD was abundant in Bob's life and he has now traveled on to dwell in his heavenly home. He will be missed by all who knew him. Sincerely, Bill and Debbie Saxman (Campbell Clan)
- Bill and Debbie Saxman, Savannah, GA
I was so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. For many years I knew him as a friend of my boss's, then got to know Mary and Holly as well. My involvement with the Savannah Scottish Games many years ago allowed me to see a different side of Bob, and he was always a very interesting and well-spoken man, always caring and inquisitive. His presence will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
- Judy Williams, Savannah, GA
So long Bob, Your were a great neighbor and friend those many years on Gordon Row. Our personal history is long and deep and I will forever cherish memories of you friend.
- Steve Berg, Midway, GA, g
Bob, was a great friend and he was always helping other people. He will be greatly missed for his stories, adventures, humor, and helping hand. It will be a more boring world without Bob.
- Joe Vestal, Savannah, Ga
Had the pleasure of knowing Bob as a neighbor and associate for over 20 years. Bob was highly intelligent and anytime you encountered him, he always has such an open-to-you mannerism that was kind, gracious and welcoming. He had a sort of quiet way, but jovial and will miss seeing him with his cigar in hand. It is hard to believe he's gone. He was a real "Keeper" of things in Savannah and in life. He was a true person in all of the meaning of that.
- Shannon Scott, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to here about the loss of Bob. He was such a sincere and sweet man. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
- Nick Dague, Hollywood, FL
Very sad news. Our sympathies are with Mary and family. Bob was an enthusiastic force in Savannah and he will be missed by the causes with whom he worked. His friends will miss his charm and generosity; he was so knowledgeable and well read, it was a delight being in conversation with him. Many of the staff at The Inn have been with him for years, they will miss his guiding hand. We have many fond memories of times with Mary and Bob both in Savannah and England. We have enjoyed road trips with him visiting Civil War and other historical sites, he was an excellent tour guide.
- Phyl & Geoff Kerry, London,
Mary and family, Please accept our condolences for your (and our community's) loss. Let's remember Bob's joyous enthusiasm for life, conversation, challenge, and fun! Love, Marsha and Don Moore
- Marsha and Don Moore, Savannah, Ga
Mary - So very sorry for your loss. Bob had a great ability to be interested and present whenever I had the occasion to see him. I still have a photograph of him holding a 3-month old Aidan at one of the Men's Dinner Clubs that Bill hosted. Aidan is now 15!!! - Susan, Aidan and Sheridan Broker
- Susan Broker, Savannah, GA
Bob was an interesting man with lots of good stories, he made me laugh many times. My thoughts are with you all. Condolences to everyone whom he touched. Jan Musgrove
- Jan Musgrove, Fredericksburg , Texas
I am deeply saddened of the passing of Bob, he was a man of many stories of just about any subject you can imagine. I used to come over and bring a cigar or two and we would sit in the court yard smoking,talking and changing the world. He was a dedicated husband, father, friend and mentor. He will be missed deeply.
- Dennis Reed, statesboro, ga
I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Bob was always so encouraging and enthusiastic about any endeavor we were involved with together, and very supportive. I suspected he had health issues, but he never dwelled on that but instead was interested in the lives and accomplishments of those around him. I will miss him.
- Courtney flexon, Vidalia, Ga
You all are in my prayers. I will miss Bob. Hard to believe he is gone. I'm so thankful for being included in your family's events because I have so many great memories of him. I hope he knew just how special he was to all of us. I know we were all special to him. Love you guys!
- Debbie Hanna, Savannah, GA
You all are in my prayers. I will miss Bob. Hard to believe he is gone. I'm so thankful for being included in your family's events because I have so many great memories of him. I hope he knew just how special he was to all of us. I know we were all special to him. Love you guys!
- Debbie Hanna, Savannah, GA
My condolence to Mary and family on the passing of a larger than life person, I had the good fortune to have known.
- Harley Leonard, Old Albertviille, WI
Hard to believe he's gone. He was so full of life. Probably the Man above had a higher calling for him. Rest in Peace, Bob. We will remember the good times.
- Tricia Ray, Savannah, GA
We are deeply saddened by Bob's passing. He was a good friend and a rare person with a big heart. We will miss his stories, common sense and sly wit. We offer our sincere condolences to Mary and his family. With Love, Charles & D'Lee
- Charles & D'Lee Ringling, Richmond Hill, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
