Dr. J. Philip McLaren

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Bethel College Western Michigan University

J. McLaren Obituary

Dr. J. Philip McLaren, "Doc", age 72, passed away in Hawaii Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 after a brief illness. Originally from Los Angeles, Phil was the son of a science educator who instilled in him a curiosity for the natural world and a profound commitment to his Christian faith. Phil attended Moody Bible Institute where he met the love of his life, Lynne McLaren (Hipskind) to whom he was to be married to for 51 years. In 1964, Phil graduated from Bethel College in Indiana and went on to receive his PhD from Western Michigan University in 1968 during which time he and Lynne started a family. Doc moved to Quincy with his family in 1976 to become a Professor of Biology at Eastern Nazarene College. Over the course of 35 years at the College, he inspired curiosity and shared his passion for teaching and science with students, colleagues and family alike. Doc is most remembered as an educational adventurer and world traveler | always with a ready story or a lesson to share. He organized and chaperoned hundreds of foreign educational field trips for students to discover God's wonders on this planet and made personal connections everywhere he went. Docs favorite travel advice to his students was to "sleep when you can, eat what's in front of you, and if you like it, buy it, as you may never see it again". In typical fashion, he had recently retired to Hawaii with Lynne hoping to continue their explorations and education | and with volcanoes, rainforests, birds and bugs to see he was surely in his element. To no one's surprise, he immediately found himself a volunteer tutoring position with the local elementary school where his great grey beard was a welcome sight. Beyond education, Phil got great joy out of the hobby farm he had on the coast in Nova Scotia. There he and Lynne shared a quiet spot where they grew blueberries to sell, had an extensive garden and became part of the local community. Docs interests included becoming a private pilot, scuba diving, sailing, celebrating his Scottish heritage as a member of the Royal Scottish Dance Society and his long time membership in the Scots' Charitable Society, He always took an active role in his church. Bethel College honored Phil as Alumnus of the Year in 1999 and he served as President of Massachusetts Marine Educators, (MME) from 1985-1987. Beloved husband of Lynne McLaren of Hawaii, he is survived by his brother, David McLaren of Georgia. Loving father of Lark McLaren, Merry Smith and her husband Jeffrey of Quincy, and Reilly Guardino-McLaren and her husband Chris of Beverly Hills, Calif. He will be deeply missed by his three grandchildren, Lauren McGough of Princeton, N.J., Tessie McGough of Cambridge, MA, and Logan Guardino of Beverly Hills, Calif. not to mention by all of his friends and students alike. A memorial service will be held for him in Hawaii on Sunday Feb. 23, and another one in Quincy in the spring. A science scholarship fund at the Scots Charitable Society has been set up in Phil's memory. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to: scots-charitable.org.

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Published by The Patriot Ledger on Feb. 19, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for J. McLaren

10 Entries

Sharon Sullivan

March 20, 2014

He was memorable in so many ways - and it was an honor to have crossed paths with him (and Lynne) on several colorful occasions. His passing leaves a void where once lived a larger-than-life soul ...

Ron Goodwin

March 18, 2014

I just learn of Doc McLaren's passing. My company made t-shirts for him for his many trips to Hawaii with students from Eastern Nazarene College. He was always a pleasure to work with and very interesting to talk with. My Job has it's ups and downs but the best benefit of the job is the people I meet. He lived a rich and rewarding life and I was blessed to have met him. Please accept my sympathies

Sandi Ryack-Bell

March 11, 2014

Hi Lynne,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. We knew that you had moved to Hawaii but did not know how to get in touch with you these past years. I have very very fond memories of working with Phil through MME - and he was certainly one of my favorite mentors as I entered the field of marine education. Not only his students but his colleagues as well benefited from his knowledge and guidance.

Barbara Waters

March 5, 2014

Just heard about Phil's passing. He was such a vital, alive and exploring person it is hard to believe he is no longer here. Phil will be greatly missed. I still remember the New Zealand adventure with one of Phil's classes. Lynne was there as well. What a wonderful time and we went to ends of the earth it seemed to see the last Kiwi's. I will never forget.

February 26, 2014

I am truly sad to hear of Phil's passing he was such a gentle and sweet soul. One of my best memories and a statement to that was when i was getting ready to have my son, he told me the sweetest story of when he and Lynne were having their first child and he was so moved by the experience that as he was telling it, he started to cry. It was an amazing story any how but the emotion he had while telling it made me cry as well. He was truly in love with his wife and family and it showed. My sincere condolences to his family they have definitely Lost an incredible husband and father, but have most definitely gained an angel.

Joan Bannerman

February 24, 2014

My deepest sympathy goes to you, Lynne and your family. It was such a great pleasure to have known Phil and to have even picked blueberries with him as well as doing a strathsprey or two.

Tim McLaren

February 21, 2014

On behalf of the KY cuzzns and decendants of Wm. Alexandria McLaren we send our regrets to family and friends of this amazing man. He sought us out 25 years ago and inspired us to put together our first McLaren family reunion, came to it and even proved his blood with us by knapping on a picnic table just as our fathers used to do. Lynne and Phil opened their hearts and homes to us and always encouraged us to come where they are.
On a personal level he was a teacher and inspiration to our children, wife and self. I envied his life as a traveler and will cheerish the memories I made with him. Here is a man that placed God, family, service to others, career, and then down the list self in those proper order. A life well lived. We miss you Phil.

February 20, 2014

It is with deep sadness that I learned of Phil's homegoing. I knew Phil as a creative educator, a spiritual mentor to so many students and a wonderfullly fun Prof to work for as his secretary for about 20 years. Phil and Lynne introduced me to snorkling in Belize, birding in Scotland, and exploring Hawaii and New Zealand - thank you Lynne for sharing him with us - we are hurting with you and cherish the treasured memories we've had together. Marilyn Stark

Julie Barboza

February 19, 2014

I had the opportunity to get to know Dr McLaren. It was always interesting to find out where he was or where he had come back from Belize, Germany, Studying Vog at a volcano! I always enjoyed his stories! My thoughts go out to his family at this time.

Jane Robitaille

February 19, 2014

Dear Lynne, Merry, Lark & Reilly,

Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you at this very sad time. We have so many wonderful memories of times we shared with Doc... from living in the jungle in Belize, to scuba diving in the Blue Hole, to walking into Guatemala with guns pointed at us, to seeing the total eclipse of the sun in Hawaii, to just simple visits at each other's houses. As a fellow biology teacher, our friendship goes back to 1987. Doc was the most wonderful, inspiring educator. He loved nature and seemed to know the scientific name of every living thing on the planet. He was truly amazing. His passing is a great loss as even in his retirement he continued to inspire young minds. We love you, dear friend. Rest well in Jesus' arms. Jane & Carl

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