Donald Ernest MacAngus, a beloved figure whose life resonated with passion and creativity, peacefully passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on November 18, 1938, in San Francisco, California, to Amelia Mae Ray (Robin) and Norman Donald MacKay MacAngus, he was the eldest of two children, beginning a remarkable journey that would touch many lives. This obituary celebrates his enduring legacy.

His formative years were spent in San Francisco, surrounded by a large, close-knit family. After graduating from Balboa High School in 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Nina Mae MacAngus (Ridge), on June 8, 1957. By the age of 25, Don and Nina had three children—Susan Ann Martin, Donald David MacAngus, and Robin Lynn MacAngus—later welcoming their adopted daughter, Nicole Margaret Rinaldi, into their family.

A central pillar of Donald’s life was his profound love for music, particularly his Martin guitar. He was a dedicated guitarist, often performing at his cherished venue, The Cork and Fork, where he shared the stage with friends and brought joy to audiences. He embraced every song, infusing them with his unique style and often comical, personal verses, demonstrating a true musical passion.

Beyond performing, Don was a prolific songwriter and actively participated in “Shelter Mic” nights during and after the pandemic, adapting his passion to new platforms. He generously shared his knowledge, teaching his children and many others how to play the guitar. His cherished collection included his acoustic guitars, as well as a Gretsch White Falcon and a Fender Telecaster, both treasured gifts from his wife, Nina, showcasing his dedication as a guitarist.

Donald’s intellectual pursuits extended to chess, a game he played both in-person and via mail, showcasing his strategic mind. His most celebrated chess anecdote involved a victory over a Grand Master, humorously attributed to the Grand Master’s passing before the game’s completion—a testament to his witty spirit and a unique claim to fame as a chess master.

He instilled his love for chess in his children, notably finding reassurance in his daughter Robin’s recovery after brain surgery when she managed to defeat him using the Kings Pawn opening, highlighting the deep bond and shared intellectual pursuits within his family. His influence as a chess master extended beyond the board, teaching resilience and strategic thinking.

A proud aspect of his identity was his Scottish heritage, which he actively celebrated through his long-standing representation of the California region of Clan MacInnes. Alongside his brother David, he proudly hosted the clan tent at the Scottish Games, wearing his MacInnes kilt and enjoying nights camping at the Pleasanton fairgrounds, filled with Scottish songs and the evocative sound of bagpipes.

Donald Ernest MacAngus was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, stepfather, his beloved wife Nina, and his brother David, who passed just a month before him. He is survived by his children—Susan Ann Martin, Donald David MacAngus, Robin Lynn MacAngus, Nicole Margaret Rinaldi—his sister-in-law Beverly Ray, and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews, leaving behind a rich family legacy and the memory of a truly beloved figure in San Francisco.