Lasting Memories

Malcolm MacLeod
Nov. 20, 1933-April 20, 2020
Palo Alto, California

We are heart-broken to announce that Malcolm MacLeod, born November 20, 1933, age 86, died on April 20, 2020, in Palo Alto, California, after a long battle with prostate cancer. Malcolm fought with determination, fortitude, and good grace. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Inglewood, California to Scottish immigrant parents, Annie MacAulay MacLeod and Duncan MacLeod, Malcolm was a first generation American. Malcolm was a gifted athlete who excelled in sports at Inglewood High School. His senior year he was the starting quarterback on the football team and led his team to a 9-1 record. As a senior, he was elected Class President. Upon graduation, Malcolm attended Stanford University on a football scholarship as a quarterback. Unfortunately, he was only able to play football his freshman year. He had to stop playing afterward because of a bleeding ulcer. At Stanford, Malcolm was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity. He loved everything about Stanford and was a lifelong ardent Stanford sports fan and athletic booster. After graduation from Stanford as part of the Class of ’55 with a B.S in Civil Engineering, Malcolm worked for a variety of construction firms before starting his own construction business in Palo Alto. He worked as a general contractor building remodels, additions, and custom homes until his retirement late in life. Malcolm’s greatest legacy in life was overcoming an addiction to alcohol that started in his teenage years and continued for the better part of three decades. At age 46 years old, he hit rock bottom and checked himself into a one-month alcohol rehab program at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA. Malcolm became a life-long participant in the Alcohol Anonymous program, attending multiple meetings every week of his life. On February 10, 2020, Malcolm received his 40-year medallion for 40 years of sobriety. He was a friend, mentor, and inspiration to countless participants in the AA program. Malcolm is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, son Ian MacLeod and Beatrice Morand, daughter Wendy MacLeod Stokes (Kevin), and daughter Alexandra MacLeod Olsen (Jonas), his 5 grandchildren, his brother and wife Ian and Marilyn MacLeod and their 3 daughters, his first wife Nancy Anderson, and second wife Lois MacLeod. Malcolm adored his grandchildren and was a big part of their lives. He was a good grandfather and will be deeply missed by his grandchildren. Malcolm lived for the last couple of years at the Sunrise Senior Residence in Palo Alto. Our family owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Sunrise staff and to the staff of Mission Hospice Care for looking after Malcolm in his final weeks and for making his passage as easy and peaceful as possible. The Sunrise staff and residents cared deeply for Malcolm, saying he was beloved in their community and calling him a ‘gem’ of a resident.