Bob MacGregor, travel innovator, dead at 88

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Robert Edmund "Bob" MacGregor, a pioneer in Hawai'i's travel industry and the retired owner of Trade Wind Tours, died on Tuesday. He was 88.

"He was a definite entrepreneur and innovator in the Hawai'i travel industry," said his daughter, Roberta Masson. He was one of the first people to capitalize on Hawai'i's postwar boom in travel and tourism.

MacGregor was born in Denver and earned a degree from Columbia University. He went to work for Pan American Airways and, because he spoke Spanish, drew assignments to Mexico and the Philippines, where he met his wife, Emalita.

He joined the Navy and, as a lieutenant junior grade, helped open bases for the Naval Transport Service and Pan Am during World War II.

In 1947, MacGregor opened International Travel Service at Beretania and Bethel streets. Launched with one secretary, the firm rose to become a multi-million-dollar corporation.

However, in 1975, MacGregor, then president of Trade Wind Tours of Hawaii and International Travel Service, Ltd., was found guilty along with others of criminally conspiring to fix prices in violation of federal antitrust laws.

MacGregor was fined $10,000 and his companies were fined $50,000.

MacGregor also had a passion for polo and was the president of the Honolulu Polo Club, his daughter said.

"He had a lust for life, he did everything to the hilt," Masson said. "He had very full life. I don't have any regrets about that."

MacGregor is survived by daughter Roberta Masson and one granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary; service at 9:30 a.m., inurnment at Diamond Head Memorial Park at 10:45 a.m.