Robert E. McLean: 1934-2020

06/22/2020

Robert McLean, professor emeritus of aircraft maintenance at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, died March 22. He was 85. At the time of his death, he and his wife Leona were living in Flower Mound, Texas.

McLean was born in 1934 to Eugene and Zella McLean in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. After graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served for 26 years in locations that included Texas, Tennessee, Portugal and Illinois.

After retiring as a Chief Master Sargent, McLean joined the faculty of Saint Louis University in 1979 as a professor in the Department of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (later renamed the Department of Aviation Technology) at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. He taught for 22 years before retiring as professor emeritus in 2001.

Steve Magoc, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Aviation Science and a longtime colleague, says McLean came to SLU with an extensive background in aircraft maintenance and brought that knowledge to his students.

“Bob was hired to teach in the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate Program offered by Parks,” Magoc said. "He will be remembered for his dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism and contributions to the promotion of aviation safety.”

Aviation sciences professor Terrence Kelly, Ph.D., remembers McLean as a colleague and as a teacher.

“Along with teaching many courses in the AME program, Bob conducted many FAA tests, both the written and practical,” Kelly said. “I took a number of courses with Bob while a student at Parks College and I always admired his knowledge and enjoyed his wit.”

Professor McLean is survived by his wife, Leona; son James; daughter Sherrill; grandchildren Andrew and Jordyn; sister Helen Stanford (Ray); five brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Both of McLean’s children are Saint Louis University alumni. Daughter Sherrill McLean graduated from Parks in 1994 with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management and is a global manager in business travel sales for Hilton where she has been for more than 25 years,

Son James McLean, a pilot for American Airlines, followed his father’s path receiving his BS in Aeronautics and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in 1986. He also earned the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate in 1983.

Due to current COVID-19 regulations, a service celebrating Professor McLean’s life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in his name to either The Oasis (an Alzheimer’s caregiver support group McLean attended) or the Alzheimer’s Association.