Obituary for Dennis Robert McGinnis

Dennis Robert (Bob) McGinnis passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at home in Clay County.

Bob was born in New Albany, Ind,. to the late Dennis Arthur and Eleanor McGinnis. He grew up with his parents and sister, the late Donna Gilbert, in Buffalo, N.Y. Bob went to college at Georgetown University, Class of 1962, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He also earned a Masters of Arts in Education from George Washington University and a Doctorate in Education from University of Georgia.

Bob served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1963-1971 as Chief Engineer aboard destroyers including two combat tours in Vietnam, managed five national recruiting programs and served on the Navy-wide planning team establishing the all-volunteer force. As a reserve officer thereafter, Bob commanded five reserve units and served as Deputy of Readiness for the Southeast during Operation Desert Storm. He ended his long naval career with the rank of Captain, Trustee Emeritus and former Board Chair of the U.S. Naval War College Foundation.

After leaving the Navy and the birth of his first daughter, Kelleen, in 1970, Bob began a career in education as Director of Research at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. in 1971. His second daughter, Kathryn, was born in North Carolina in 1973. He left his position with WCU as Director of University Development in 1982 to become the Vice President of University Development at East Tennessee State University and Executive Director of ETSU’s Foundation, Johnson City, Tenn. Bob also served on the Board of Directors for the United Way in Tennessee.

In 1985, Bob and his daughters moved to Orlando, Fla., where Bob served as the Vice President of University Relations at the University of Central Florida and as a member of the Florida Symphony Board of Directors, where he eventually became President in 1993. After the Challenger shuttle exploded in 1986, Bob served as Vice President and a Director of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. He also met and married Michele McGinnis in Orlando in 1992.

In 1993, Bob and Michele moved to Atlanta, Ga., where Bob served as Vice President of Development at Georgia State University. During Bob’s nine-year tenure (including during the 1996 Olympics where GSU was the site of several Olympic competitions), GSU completed two campaigns raising in excess of $135 million. Bob also served as Chair of the University System of Georgia Regent’s Advisory Committee for Advancement.

Bob became the Vice President for Development for Auburn University, Senior Counsel to the University’s President and President of the Auburn University Foundation in 2002. He planned and executed Auburn’s Capital Campaign which raised $609 million (well over the $500 million goal). Bob also created and directed the Auburn University Diplomatic Program providing international experience on campus. Visiting dignitaries, including Ambassadors and Consul Generals, provided Auburn students with global experiences without studying abroad and faculty opportunities to collaborate with dignitaries on international programs. Bob represented the President and the University to numerous international visits to Europe and Asia, continuing his life-long passion for travel.

Bob and Michele came to Clay County in 1997, moving there full-time in 2012, and Bob retired officially from Auburn University in 2014. After Michele passed in 2022, Bob fell in love and married Sandy Jersey McGinnis in 2025.

Giving back to the community and volunteerism was a passion for Bob. He served as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hayesville, N.C., allowing the Church to pay back its building loan in record time. Bob was also a past President of the Clay County Food Pantry and volunteered at the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Clay County, Meals on Wheels and as Guardian Ad Litem for Clay County.

Bob loved hosting, and his resounding voice was heard at many events where he served as emcee. He also loved woodworking and taking a ride in his sport cars.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and Michele McGinnis.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy Jersey McGinnis, his daughters, Kelleen McGinnis Lonergan and her husband Brian of Frederick, Md., and Kathryn Jo McGinnis of Winner, S.D., his five grandchildren, Shannon and Ryan Scott, Caitlin and Aidan Lonergan, and Sophia Wannop and his niece, Colleen and her husband Bob Pontello and nephews, Rick (and wife Sue), Dennis (and wife Kim), Mike (and wife Amy) and Kevin (and wife Jessica) Gilbert and their families.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hayesville, N.C. on Saturday, September 26 at 11AM with burial to follow. Family and friends are invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Clay County, c/o PO Box 546, Murphy, N.C. 28906.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.