Randal S. MacDonald 1959-2021

Randal S. MacDonald of Comptche died unexpectedly on October 6, 2021. He was 62 years old. Husband, Son, Brother, Stepfather and friend, Randy was an inspiration to all who met him. Born in Alameda, California, he was the oldest child of James MacDonald and Charlotte Fleming. Coming from a long line of activists. Randy was passionate about politics, the environment and social justice. Some of Randy’s notable ancestors included author Nathaniel Hawthorne and abolitionist John Brown. His immediate family continues the tradition of activism today. After many years on the road, Randy returned to college and graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oregon in 1990, with honors in his major, Political Science. He went on to become Director of Legislative and Community Affairs for U of O where he helped achieve restoration of $100 million in state funding for Oregon public higher education in 1996. He served as elected City Councilor in Eugene, Oregon and was most proud to have led the effort to win voter approval of a $10 million bond to build and improve Eugene’s fire department facilities. Randy discovered Comptche while considering a move back to California in 2000. Within months he had found his forever home and gained a new community. Randy was passionate about the land and his stewardship of it. To that end he planted 2800 redwoods on his 50 acres to aid its return to the natural conifer forest it once was. Randy joined the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department in 2001 and later served as Second Assistant Chief & Communications Officer for 10 years before a vision problem caused him to step down as a firefighter. He served the department as Safety Officer until his death. While an active firefighter, Randy trained as a Strike Team Leader and was so proud to fight fire alongside Cal Fire at a number of major incidents. In addition to his dedication to the Fire Department and its members, Randy lobbied for and succeeded in bringing high speed internet to Comptche in 2009 while advocating in Washington DC for all rural communities to have connectivity. As partner/owner and COO of Wild Iris Medical Education, an online continuing education provider for health care professionals, Randy was at the forefront of creating a successful internet based business with multiple employees who could all work from home. Randy sat on many committees and boards of groups fighting for action on climate change including as Chair of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club’s Climate and Energy Committee. He believed that he needed to work tirelessly on climate action while he still had breath in his body. He leaves behind his loving wife Janis, stepson Jonathan Darrow, father James MacDonald and his wife Carol, sister Gail Reid, Mark Reid and niece Brenna of Mountain View CA, sister Charlotte MacDonald, nieces Stella & Sylvia of Portland OR. Stepfather Ed Lungren of Tiburon CA, stepbrother Rande Machell and nieces Ariel and Lily and nephew Tyler. Randy’s life, his presence, his strength and his commitment to the people he loved and the causes he believed in cannot be matched. He will be so deeply missed in so many hearts. His was a light that could not be dimmed. A memorial service will be held at the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday Dec. 4 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the CVFD, PO Box 162, Comptche CA 95427 Or CLEAN PAC c/o Kieloch Consulting 228 2nd Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20003