Robert "Bob" Morton McIlvaine, Ph.D., 81, of Renfrew, formerly of Slippery Rock, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Allegheny General Hospital from complications of Parkinson's disease.

A son of the late Paul and Juanita Wickliffe McIlvaine, Bob was born Dec. 28, 1943, in Chillicothe, Texas, and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Bob was employed for 37 years as a professor of English at Slippery Rock University in both the graduate and undergraduate program. He held degrees in English Literature from Davis and Elkins College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University.

Proud of his Scottish heritage, he was a regional director for Clan McBean. He traveled to Scotland, and taught a course at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

In addition to his enjoyment of travel, Bob loved to read, write, and learn. He had a kind heart and gentle spirit and loved animals. This led him to rescue numerous stray cats.  Bob was also a lifelong fan of the Washington Commanders. Mostly, he loved spending time with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Briegel McIlvaine, whom he married July 27, 1966; two daughters, Jessica Call and her husband, Steve, of Butler, and Miranda Boring and her husband, Eric, of Butler; and four grandchildren, Wyatt Yates, Isaac Boring, Owen Boring, and Charlotte Boring.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob's memory to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Rd., Renfrew, PA 16053, or the Slippery Rock Community Library, 465 North Main Street, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.

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