Robert Stetson Macfarlane (January 15, 1899 – March 9, 1982)[1] was president of Northern Pacific Railway 1951–1966.
He worked at the law firm of Chadwick, McMicken, Ramsey, and Rupp from 1919 until his graduation in 1922, at which time he became chief deputy prosecuting attorney for King County, Washington, a position he held until 1925.
He was named president of the University of Washington Alumni Association in 1931, and in 1933 he was honored with a distinguished service award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce After his service as a judge, Macfarlane became the assistant western counsel for Northern Pacific Railway, where he worked his way up through promotions to become president of the railroad in 1951.
While he was working his way toward the railroad's presidency, Macfarlane also served as a director for the Seattle School Board from 1934 to 1950.
Macfarlane also served as a director for Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Pacific National Bank in Seattle, First National Bank in St. Paul, Colorado and Southern Railway, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance, First Trust Company in St. Paul, American Smelting and Refining, Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance, and First Bank Stock Corporation in Minneapolis.