POTSDAM--Robert John McGill III, 84, Mayfield Apartments, died at Canton-Potsdam Hospital on Wednesday. He was professor emeritus of humanities at Clarkson University.

 A 1931 graduate of Potsdam High School, he earned a bacheler of science degree from the Crane Department of Music at the State University Teachers College in Potsdm in1935 and a master's degree in education from St. Lawrence University in 1947.

 Mr. McGill was a popular teacher at Clarkson, where he taught for 32 years. He began his career as a music teacher at Piercefield, Waddington and Gouverneur schools, where he was music supervisor.

 Mr. McGill entered military service in 1942, serving four years with the Army infantry with overseas service in the European theater during World War II.

 In 1947, he took a position as instructor in public speaking in the English department of Clarkson College. He was promoted from assistant to associate professor of liberal studies at Clarkson in 1953 and was appointed college historian in 1964. He was named professor emeritus of humanities upon his retirement in 1979, and was cited for being a "dedicated, valuable and accomplished teacher and counselor of Clarkson students." He also taught courses through Clarkson's Elderhostel program.

 In the early 1950s, he became director of the Clarkson College Glee Club and was faculty adviser ro radio station WNTC and to the dramatic group the Dramatechers. He received membership in Phalanx, the highest recognition society at Clarkson, in 1957, being cited for his contributions to student extracurricular activities.

 Born Sept. 17, 1913, in Potsdam, he was the son of Frederick and Blanche Bearden McGill and the great-grandson of Robert John McGill, one of the original settlers of Norwood in the early 1800s.

 He married Elinor Neilson on Jan. 31, 1944. Mrs. McGill died June 7, 1966.

 Mr. McGill was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church; an honorary member and adviser of Delta Upsilon fraternity; a former member and past president of the Potsdam Rescue Squad; an honary member of the Clarkson University alumni association, and a member of the Potsdam State University College alumni association, the Delta Kappa fraternity, the Potsdam Museum board of directors and Lambda Iota fraternity. He also belonged to Racket River Masonic Lodge 213.

 Surviving Mr. McGill are two sons, Garth, Manorville, and Scott, Kent, Wash., and two grandchildren.

 The funeral will be held in the spring, with burial in Bayside Cemetery. Seymour Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

(Taken from the Saturday, January 17, 1998 edition of the Watertown Daily Times).