Robert McLean

Robert Allen McLean passed away May 1, 2023. Born July 29, 1930 in Shenango, PA to Thomas Allen and Frances Jacobs McLean, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, and his Masters and Ph.D from Purdue University. He was an Army veteran, and worked at Y12 in Oak Ridge before joining the faculty of the business school at the University of Tennessee, where he served as a professor of statistics from 1965 until his retirement in 1999. During his tenure with UT, he also headed the university computing center, was an integral part of the Design of Experiments program to improve business processes through statistical analysis, and consulted with numerous businesses on related projects. “Bob” to many, and “Grandpa” to a lucky few, he remained active in his retirement, supporting the Blount Hearing and Speech Center, the Knoxville Track Club, the Knoxville Racquet Club, Erin Presbyterian Church and many other organizations. While attending Purdue, Bob met Marjorie Epes Simms. Bob and Marje were married in 1957 and enjoyed 54 years together, until her death in 2011. Bob is survived by his daughters, Nancy McLean Richardson (Jim) of Huntsville, AL and Shirley McLean of Cincinnati, OH; grandsons Ben Richardson (Emily) of Atlanta, GA, and Will Richardson of Huntsville, AL; and great-granddaughter Martha; as well as his brother Bruce McLean (Alison) of Statesboro, GA; many nieces and nephews; and his special friend Alice Beauchene, who with her blueberry farm was the source of great joy in Bob’s last years. The family extends its deep gratitude to the many medical providers, friends, neighbors and members of his church family who provided their love, support and assistance to Bob. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Erin Presbyterian Church on May 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., to be followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Rd., Knoxville, TN 37919 or The Hearing & Speech Foundation, 1619 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN 37804.

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Robert McLean

July 29, 1930 - May 1, 2023