Norwich, VT - J. Michael McGean passed away on Saturday, September 24th surrounded by his family and several beloved Dartmouth figure skaters. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1927, Mike was the son of John McGean and Elizabeth Baker McGean. His maternal grandfather, Newton D. Baker, was Mayor of Cleveland and later Secretary of War in the Woodrow Wilson administration.

Mike came to Dartmouth College in the fall of 1945 and was already an accomplished and nationally competitive figure skater. Shortly after graduating from Dartmouth in 1949, Lois Waring, who later became his wife, was in search of a dance partner. Mike left his graduate work in economics at the University of Arizona to join Lois and continue his skating career.

Mike developed a yearning for ice skating at an early age. He would tell stories of taking the trolley car alone from his home to a rink in downtown Cleveland, skates slung over his shoulder, to learn to skate. Along with two National Ice Dancing Championships, Mike and Lois went on to win the World/International Ice Dancing Championship in London in 1950. In 1991, Mike and his late wife Lois were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

At the local and college ice rinks, Coach McGean filled a larger-than-life role teaching many decades of Upper Valley children how to figure skate. In the last decade, he devoted himself to the Dartmouth Figure Skating Team, coaching the fledgling team to five consecutive intercollegiate Nationals Championships. Mike's passion and dedication to athletics was irrepressible. In his later years, he was frequently spotted on roller blades, doing graceful laps around the pedestrian walkway inside the Thompson Arena.

A loyal member of the Class of 1949, Mike's 39-year professional career at Dartmouth, as Secretary of Dartmouth and later as Alumni Director, brought him in contact with legions of Dartmouth alumni. With his generous spirit and diplomacy, to many he simply became "Mr. Dartmouth." Mike was instrumental in the establishment of The Wearers of the Green, Alumni in the Schools, and Alumni College education programs. He was a recipient of the distinguished Dartmouth Alumni Award.

Mike is survived by his three children and their families, Loren McGean and Robert Bartles of Meriden, NH, Betsy McGean and Thomas Blinkhorn and their children, Caitlin and William Blinkhorn of Hanover, NH, and Geoffrey and Tricia McGean and their children, Michael McGean and Christopher McGean of Lincoln, MA.

Mike took enormous pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. While Betsy and Geoff followed both their mother's and father's passion for land and water conservation, his eldest daughter Loren coached at Mike's side in the ice rinks for many years. Mike always delighted in the fun and achievements of his four grandchildren, whether boogie boarding in the ocean, horseback riding at summer camp, acing a school test, kicking a soccer goal, or winning a race in the swimming pool.

Mike was always championing worthy causes, rolling up his sleeves to help others, whether through service in education, nature conservation, or supporting those in need. He offered his time and wisdom by serving on boards of The Cardigan Mountain School, The United Way, The Upper Valley Land Trust, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, among others. He was a tireless and impassioned gardener, often working in his gardens beyond the last rays of evening light.

In his last years, Mike displayed his incredible spirit of a champion as he battled cancer against all odds. When a challenge seemed insurmountable, he would say "let's sleep on that one," and then his true determination would shine through as he figured out how to best tackle each and every challenge to the very end.

The family will gather for a private burial in Norwich. A service to remember J. Michael McGean will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2:30pm at Dartmouth College's Rollins Chapel. An informal reception and skating party in celebration of Mike's life will follow at 4:00pm in the Thompson Arena. The family invites skaters and others of all ages.

Arrangements are being handled by the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT
In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to Mike's beloved Dartmouth Figure Skating Team, c/o Dartmouth Athletics, HB 6083, Hanover, NH 03755 or to Granite United Way, 21 Technology Drive, Unit #4, West Lebanon, NH 03784.

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