Robert M. ‘Mike’ McClanahan, dedicated fireman
Robert M. "Mike" McClanahan, 79, of Lewes passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was born Sept. 27, 1940, in Lincoln, Neb., son of the late Walter R. and Helen L. (Plummer) McClanahan.
Mike began his career as a volunteer firefighter in McLean, Va., in 1962. He joined the Fairfax Fire Services in 1963 as their 82nd paid firefighter. As the department grew and became the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, he held many different positions, and was responsible for guiding the creation of new programs such as the Hazardous Materials Team and the EMS program. He was the department’s first station captain at Seven Corners (Station 28), and he was promoted to be the department’s first B-Shift assistant chief in 1982. He retired from the department in 1986. Following the line-of-duty death of his son Timothy, he joined the Lewes Fire Department as an auxiliary member.
Mike was an amateur radio operator, holding an Extra Class license. He was a founding member of the Lewes Amateur Radio Society, and he could be found every week on the area’s local “nets” talking to his friends on the air.
Mike was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was loved and respected by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his son, Timothy McClanahan, in 2016. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rita (McCabe) McClanahan of Lewes; his sons: Sean McClanahan (Pam) of Lewes and Brion McClanahan (Samantha) of Phoenix City, Ala.; his 10 grandchildren; two brothers; and one sister.
A viewing will be held Friday, March 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes. Services will be immediately followed by Military Honors and a fireman’s procession to Lewes Fire Department, Station 1 for Fireman’s Honors. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Mike's memory to the Lewes VFD Auxiliary, 347 East Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or Saved Souls Animal Rescue, www.savedsoulsanimalrescue.com.
