Malcolm Allen McInnis

Malcolm Allen “Mac” McInnis of Atherton, CA passed away peacefully on November 17, 2021 after living nearly six years with pancreatic cancer, leaving his family he loved so much. Mac was born on June 25, 1929 in Seattle, Washington to Merville and Lorraine McInnis. In Seattle, he attended Laurelhurst Elementary and Roosevelt High School. He spent his childhood and young adult summers, all day, every day at the Laurelhurst Beach Club; swimming competitively and for fun, lifeguarding, “rolling the log,” and enjoying Seattle waterfront activities. Mac loved to sail, and he and his sister, Virginia, had a boat called the Handsome Transom that they raced together in the Flattie races most Sundays for years. The beach club and all its elements were a wonderful part of his life. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1950 with a degree in Marketing, a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, the Varsity swim team, the freshman rowing team and the Big W Club.

In 1951, he joined the Naval Aviation Cadet program at Pensacola, Florida and was commissioned and received his wings in June of 1952 at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. He flew single engine carrier aircraft, Seaplanes and two-engine and four-engine military transport aircraft. He was awarded an Air Medal, the China Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After 28 years of service, Mac retired with the rank of US Naval Captain. He was extremely proud of his family’s military heritage in their participation in the wars of our nation. His father retired a US Army Colonel World War I and World War II; he a Navy pilot, Korea and Vietnam; his son, Marshal, nearly 10 years US Navy SEAL, Persian Gulf War and other conflicts; and his grandson, Tyson, nearly 10 years US Army Helicopter Pilot, Iraq two deployments.

Prior to his moving to California with his first wife, Marilyn Dillon of Seattle, and their children, Mac worked with his father at McInnis and Company Inc., an import export firm in downtown Seattle. Mac joined Davenport & Co. “Fine Home Builders” as a general partner, contracting new homes, renovations and remodels throughout the Peninsula. Mac went on to become owner and President and continued to grow the business until his retirement in 2006.

In May of 1981, Mac married Jane deBenedetti Quistgard, at Christ Episcopal Church in Portola Valley. It was “Yours, Mine and Ours” from the start, as he and Jane blended their two families into one. Mac expanded his heart to love every one of his children the same. They spent 40 beautiful years creating memories with friends, family and each other. There were family trips to Tahoe and Hawaii, visits to children on both coasts, worldwide cruises, sailing trips and private yachting trips, and annual trips to their timeshares in Palm Desert and in Mazatlán with family and friends. One of their very favorite trips was to Havana, Cuba sailing with Virginia and Ernie Van Asperen (Mac’s sister and brother-in-law) on their yacht, the North Wind.

Mac offered quiet acts of kindness, lived his life thoughtfully and faithfully, and gave himself fully to everything he was a part of. He was actively involved with the Seattle International Trade Fair and Seattle Japanese Tea Garden. He was a supporter of the Peninsula Center for the Blind, a board member for 10 years at Stevenson House, a retirement community in South Palo Alto, an usher at Christ Episcopal Church in Portola Valley, and a Chaplain for 10 years at Stanford Hospital. He was a member of the Menlo Country Club and of the Menlo Circus Club, where he served on the Board of Directors for six years. He also served for over 20 years as the Board Liaison to the Buildings and Grounds committee. Mac was an exceptional host, known for making a strong drink including his infamous “Morning Thing” (gin fizz) and his “Mazatlán Margarita.” He was a lifelong sportsman, engaging in sailing, skiing, and playing squash, tennis and golf. He looked forward to his Acorn Investment Group and his “Tuesday Dinner Group” that met monthly for over 30 years. He especially enjoyed joining the Saturday morning “Z Group” for tennis, playing golf with his Wednesday and Thursday golf group, and playing bridge with his close friends every Friday… and oh, how he enjoyed reading the funnies and winding his grandfather clock every Sunday!

Mac lived a full life of 92 years, complete with great loves and great endeavors. He was a man of exceptional character with a solid moral compass. He was extremely devoted to his wife Jane and was a loving, supportive, father always taking an interest in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He was a patient listener; no one listened like Mac. He spoke with intention and was fully present. He took a genuine interest in people of all ages. He was modest and always a gentleman. He cherished his friendships. He was our patriarch, a pillar of strength for the family who always inspired us to choose the right.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; seven children, Mac McInnis Jr. (Tammy) of Twin Falls, WA, Mike McInnis (Kitty) of Sonora, CA, Mitzi McInnis of Hyde Park, VT, Marshal McInnis of Hailey, ID, Brooke Quistgard Larkins of Menlo Park, CA, Allison Quistgard Scherer of Sun Valley, ID, and Cameron Quistgard (Melissa) of Sisters, OR; 14 grandchildren, Kelley McInnis Gibeon (Peter), Tyson McInnis (Jenny), Megan McInnis Wood (Dan), Scott McInnis (Brittany), Stuart Speer (Sarah), Tucker Speer, Madeline McInnis, Flint McInnis, Victoria Blair Larkins, Jane Larkins and Jack Larkins, Jack Scherer and Paige Scherer and Hunter Quistgard; and eight great grandchildren, Nolan, Stowe and Drew McInnis, Rush and Maclyn Wood, Evie McInnis, and Rosie and Ellie Speer.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents, Merville and Lorraine McInnis; first wife, Marilyn Dillon; sisters, Mitzi (died at age five) and Virginia Van Asperen; and brothers-in-law Ernie Van Asperen and John L. (Jay) deBenedetti III. In loving memory of Mac, a private family Episcopal service will be held in the chapel at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, followed by a Military Honors ceremony.