Douglas A. “Doug” MacKinnon was born September 13, 1936 in Queens, New York to Andrew Nairn and Jean Weil MacKinnon.

Doug grew up in Tenafly, NJ. Being chosen as captain of his high school football team was a proud moment in Doug’s early life. Doug served as a Lieutenant on a destroyer in the US Navy Pacific Fleet: He was chief engineer on the USS Rupertus from 1958-62. Doug was honored by a commendation from the ship’s Commander, citing how “his close direction and thorough planning kept his department at a high state of readiness.” Doug met his first wife, Mary Braucht, while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.

Doug attended Yale University, graduating with a BS in Industrial Administration in 1958, and a Masters in Forestry in 1964. Doug attended the Stanford Executive Program in 1975.

Doug’s wide-reaching career included: Management roles in the forest products industry with Crown-Zellerbach Corporation (1977-1985); Professorships in Forestry Management at the University of Michigan (1977-1985) and in the Practice of Forest Management at Duke University (1985-1991); and Consultant to the World Bank in sustainable forestry management alternatives for tropical forests in SE Asia and elsewhere (1991-1994). In retirement, Doug volunteered with The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina.

Doug married his love, Susan P. Huffaker, in 1995. Both were avid travelers. After many joyful years of travel — including trips to Scotland, Great Britain, Switzerland, and France — Susan and Doug moved to Portland, Oregon in 2012 to be near family.

Doug was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; his son, Scott; and his brother, Rob. Doug is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Vicki (Mario) Gagnon; two stepdaughters, Julie Huffaker (Leslie Bevan) and Ellen (Lawrence) Sung; his brother David (Jan) MacKinnon; and five grandchildren, Joy, Tristan, Alex, Natalie and Daniel.

Doug loved his volunteer work with the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, where he helped the organization protect forests and preserve species – including the Longleaf pine and Atlantic white cedar – in the Eastern part of the state. His colleagues remember him fondly and with appreciation. If you would like to contribute to this legacy, the family welcomes donations in his name, which will be used to plant native tree species.

Designate donations in memory of Doug MacKinnon and mail to The Nature Conservancy of North Carolina, 334 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27701.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Douglas Andrew MacKinnon hosted by River View Cemetery Funeral Home.