Bruce Macfarlane, Former TV Anchor and Lake Forest Mayor, Dies

The following information is provided by Wenban Funeral Home.

Bruce Miller Macfarlane, 93, a longtime resident of Lake Forest, died July 15. 

During his long life he served as the mayor of Lake Forest as well as an alderman, was an anchor for WGN TV and radio, commanded a PT Board during World War II and won the Onwentsia Club golf championship twice. 

Macfarlane was a graduate of Chicago Latin School, The Hill School (Pottstown, PA) and Princeton University (class of 1942). Following graduation, he joined the United States Navy and served in World War II as a PT Boat Captain (Squadrons 14, 18 and 39) from 1942-1946. 

For more than 10 years, Macfarlane was a news anchor for WGN Radio and WGN-TV. In 1958 he joined Bronson, Dennehy and Ulseth Insurance Company which was subsequently bought by the Fred S. James Agency. He remained there until 1984 when he entered real estate sales and retired in 2001. 

Intensely community minded, Macfarlane served the City of Lake Forest as head of the Caucus Committee, Ward Chairman, Alderman and Mayor. An avid athlete whose passion was golf, he won the Onwentsia Club Championship twice (1958 and 1983 – 25 years apart). He also travelled to Eleuthera, Bahamas, California and Scotland to play golf with friends. 

Macfarlane was born November 28, 1919 in Chicago to Alice and Wilbert E. Macfarlane. He was the beloved husband for 63 years to Barbara King Macfarlane and the loving father of David B. (Vicky) Macfarlane and the late Robert A. (Clarene) Macfarlane (2005). He was also the adored grandfather of Amanda and Robert B. Macfarlane and Julie (Rick) Macfarlane Hild as well as great grandfather of Bronwyn Macfarlane and Lily Anna Hild. He was the brother of the late Frederic L. Macfarlane. 

The service will be private at Lake Forest Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation, One Briar Road, Golf, IL  60029.  For more information, please contact Wenban Funeral Home, (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com. 

For complete Lake Forest News, sign up for our free newsletter. Then, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.