Surfer Robert Lee "Black Mac" McClendon's obit
Surfing legend Robert Lee "Black Mac" McClendon passed away on July 17, 2011. He was my father.
When I contacted the local San Diego Union Tribune, theydeemed Black Mac's death to be newsworthy, and assigned a reporter. I emailed the lengthy obituary that I had written for Black Mac to the reporter, along with a photograph, and the names and phone numbers of 3 other persons whom she could interview. I told the reporter, Linda McIntosh, to just go ahead use whatever she wished. She did a terrific job, and the resulting obit / story can be accessed at the following web site:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/27/robert-black-mac-mcclendon-local-surf-legend-dies-/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/27/robert-black-mac-mcclendon-local-surf-legend-dies-/
The reporterwondered how I had come to have all of this wonderful information on Black Mac, and I replied that I am the McClendon family historian. So I am posting this for two reasons. First, to honor my father, and secondly, to illustrate how very important it is to collect this family history information from our elders. You never know who will turn out to be deemed "a legend."
There was a traditional Polynesian paddle out held for Mac's memorial. I would estimate that at least a couple of hundred of Mac's friends and family attended the event, which was filmed by KFMB T.V. It was one of the lead stories on their 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM & 11:00 PM broadcasts.
Black Mac was also very proud and pleased to be a member of the McClendon DNA Project, and the National Geographic Genographic Project.
Aloha, Black Mac.
Regards,
Mary Lee (McClendon) Becker
Group Administrator
McClendon DNA Project