Ilion Alumni Pharmacist

Ronald McLean - IHS 1945

November 2020

By Aileen Carney Sweeney

 

Ronald McLean - Ilion Mirror 1945
Ronald McLean - Ilion Mirror 1945

 

Ronald McLean Albany College of Pharmacy Graduation 1951
Ronald McLean - Albany College of Pharmacy Graduation 1951

 

Ronald McLean - IHS 1945 - Pharmacist

Ronald McLean was born on November 11, 1927 in Ilion. He was the only child of William and Bessie (Soutar) McLean. He graduated from Ilion High School in 1945 and enlisted in the army. He served the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged from the 82nd Airborne, Glider Division, and enrolled in the Albany College of Pharmacy, class of 1951. He married Helen Finnegan and they moved to Newport in 1953. Together, they had five children. He opened his first pharmacy in Newport. Ronald later opened a second pharmacy in Barneveld.

 

Ronald McLean - Acting Dean Albany College of Pharmacy

Ronald McLean left Newport in 1976 when he became an Acting Dean of the Albany College of Pharmacy. He retired from the college in 1996. In 2016, Ronald McLean moved to Whitesboro to be closer to his family.

The Albany College of Pharmacy Alumni News, May 1976, edition described his new title and his professional and community activities.

Ronald W. McLean '51, former alumni trustee, has accepted the position of Associate Director of the Division of Extension Services, effective September 1976. Ron will be assisting Kenneth S. Griswold '21, director of the division.

McLean was one of the founders of the Herkimer Pharmaceutical Society and served as its first president. Ron was president of the Upstate Pharmaceutical Council from 1965-69 and serves as consultant pharmacist for the Herkimer County Home for the Aged. He is a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of the State of New York, American Pharmaceutical Association, American Institute of History of Pharmacy, Federation Internationale Pharmaceutique, National Association of Retail Druggists, Institute of Retail Druggists, and the Joint Commission of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine of the A.Ph .A and VMA.

Ronald's community activities include service as president of the Kuyahoora Valley Rotary Club, president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, and founding father and first president of the HOney Hill Country Club. He is a trustee of St. John's Church in Newport, director of the Herkimer County Arts Council, and a member of the Doctor's Committee which established a clinic in Newport.

 

Ronald McLean Obituary

Ronald McLean died on April 22, 2020 quietly and comfortably at St. Luke's Campus of MVHS, New Hartford. His obituray appears below.

Ronald W. McLean, our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, father-in-law and friend passed away on April 22, 2020 quietly and comfortably at St. Luke's Campus of MVHS, New Hartford, under the watchfulness of the amazing nurses and doctors who provided kind and compassionate care throughout his stay.

Our dad, Ron, was born on November 11th, 1927, the only child of William and Bessie (Soutar) McLean in Ilion. He was a graduate of Ilion High School in 1945 and enlisted in the army until the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged from the 82nd Airborne, Glider Division, and enrolled in the Albany College of Pharmacy, class of 1951. In 1953, our dad and mother, Helen Finnegan, moved to Newport, where he opened his first pharmacy. He later opened a second pharmacy in Barneveld. Our dad was well respected for his dedication to his profession and his commitment to the community, his friends and neighbors who affectionately called him "Doc". It was in this setting that our dad became an avid fly fisherman, golfer and downhill skier. He was instrumental in the formation of the Honey Hill Country Club, now known as Newport Golf course, and was the first President and Charter Member of Honey Hill.

Dad left Newport in 1976 to start his second career at Albany College of Pharmacy. Again, he gained the respect of colleagues and students. He retired in 1996 as the Acting Dean of the college. In his retirement, he pursued a third career painting watercolors. He was co-owner and contributor (paintings) to A Touch of Color Art Gallery along with Sue and Anne White of Albany. Dad also enjoyed fly fishing in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, listening to and conducting classical music from his favorite chair and he golfed into his early 80's. As a proud Scots, he enjoyed watching and teaching his grandchildren their heritage as they grew and started families of their own. In 2016, our dad moved to Whitesboro, to be closer to family.

He is survived by his 5 children, Eric and Linda McLean of Chattanooga, TN, David and Valarie McLean of Newport, Janice McLean of Utica, Jeffrey and Jill McLean of Whitesboro, and Mary and Tim Oles of Ghent. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Mary E. (Betsy) McLean, Dr. Meredith Bassett, Nathan McLean, Mary Helen McLean, Ronald J. McLean, Van Oles and Brady Oles. In addition, he is survived by his 4 great grandsons, Ian and Sam Bassett and Kellen and Owen McLean. Special mention to the White Family of Albany.

Due to recent restrictions, memorial contributions, visitation and a memorial mass at St. John's Catholic Church, Newport, will be announced at a later date. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Newport, with military honors by the United States Army Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of the Autenrith Funeral Home, Newport.

The Albany College of Pharmacy Alumni News, May 1976, edition described his duties and his activities.

Mirror 1945 - page 21 - Ronald McClean - The New York Heritage Digital Collection - Ilion Free Public Library Yearbooks Collection
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Yearbook 1951 - page 33 - Ronald McLean
Ronald McLean To College Staff - Albany College of Pharmacy Alumni News, May 1976, Vol. 21, No. 4
Ronald McLean Obituary - May 3, 2020 - www.autenrithfuneral.com
Ronald McLean - Saint Johns Cemetery, Newport - www.findagrave.com


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