C. William ‘Bill’ Bahan, community activist
Charles William (Bill) Bahan, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at the age of 91, following a short illness.
After growing up on a small Illinois farm, he joined the Navy in order to see the world. It was while on leave in Boston that he met Rosemarie, who became his wife of 71 years.
He built a highly successful career in technology, holding executive positions with IBM, Control Data and Arbitron. He was an early contributor to the nation’s space mission, responsible for tracking station computer operations in Bermuda in the early ‘60s. He was subsequently at the forefront of data communications, managing data centers worldwide.
Rehoboth became the family’s weekend home in 1982 and, upon retiring there in 1991, Bill immersed himself in community concerns. He played a leading role in the establishment of the Rehoboth Beach Museum and, following an unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 1996, continued to be active concerning a wide range of town issues. In 2011, the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce recognized him for his service with the Mae Hall McCabe Award.
He will be remembered by friends as someone who was always ready to help, whether with a business problem or an uncooperative motorbike. In addition to wife Rosemarie, he is survived by his adult children, Cathy and Bob.
