Duane "Pat" Stranahan Jr.

1930 - 2021

(News story) Duane "Pat" Stranahan, Jr., a lawyer and a partner in a leading law firm, who served on business boards - including that of Champion Spark Plug, co-founded by his grandfather - and who was known for his support of civic causes, the arts, and education, died Thursday at Avow Hospice in Naples, Fla. He was 90.

He had pneumonia, his daughter Page Armstrong said. He had been living in memory care the last two years, his wife, Robin Stranahan, said.

The couple lived in Naples the last 25 years, but had a residence in Perrysburg and remained active in the area. They attended events at the Toledo Museum of Art. He was a longtime benefactor and a former trustee.

At a 2006 United Way of Greater Toledo event, he spoke of a $100,000 leadership challenge the Stranahan family's foundation was offering to inspire increased giving.

"My dad was very proud of what his family accomplished in Toledo. He never stopped supporting Toledo," his daughter said. "He passed that on to his children as well, that sense of community responsibility. Philanthropy was such a key part of his life."

He was a 29-year trustee, through 2011, of the Stranahan Foundation, begun by his grandfather Frank Stranahan and great uncle Robert A. Stranahan, the Champion Spark Plug co-founders, to help individuals and groups become more self-sufficient and contribute to the improvement of society and the environment, according to the foundation website.

He was president of the trustees from 2004-08, said Pam Howell-Beach, the foundation's chief executive.

"When he volunteered his time, you knew he was going to give 100 percent," Ms. Howell-Beach said. "He believed so strongly in the mission and in the impact that the foundation could have in the community."

Mr. Stranahan was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1962 after receiving his law degree from the University of Michigan.

"He wanted to do something with his life he could call his own," his daughter said. "He was interested in helping out at Champion. He definitely had a love of the law."

Mr. Stranahan joined the Toledo firm then known as Marshall, Melhorn, Bloch, and Belt. He later was a managing partner of Marshall & Melhorn.

"My father was a great mentor and statesman and looked carefully at all sides in order to bring out the most good to all," his daughter said.

He'd worked at Champion and was a longtime company director and a member of the executive committee. He worked with other family members who had interests in oil and gas exploration and drilling ventures.

He'd been on the board of St. Luke's Hospital and was a former chairman of the ProMedica Health Care Foundation. He was a director of the former Toledo Trust Co. and Trustcorp and in the 1970s was on the board of Grumman American Aviation Corp. He also was chairman at the founding of Trust Co., which manages personal trusts and retirement plans.

A pilot, as his father had been, Mr. Stranahan was appointed to the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority in 1992. He was then president of an investment firm, Stradum Inc. He stepped aside from the board in 1995 because of his increasing time away from Toledo, writing the board, "I am unable to devote the time and attention to the port authority directorial duties which they deserve."

Mr. Stranahan was a Hillsdale College trustee emeritus - and a longstanding supporter - and was a former Toledo-area chairman of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. He also served on the boards of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, of which he was a graduate, and of Florida Gulf Coast University. He'd been president of Community School of Naples.

He was born March 9, 1930, to Virginia "Diddy" Secor Stranahan and Duane Stranahan, Sr. His maternal grandfather moved to Toledo in the 1850s and was a prominent banker. His mother grew up in her family's Old West End mansion.

He moved with his parents and siblings in 1940 to 577 E. Front St. in Perrysburg, which had stables and an indoor riding ring. The Stranahan children learned about the environment and nature.

His mother "was very dedicated to community service and spent a lot of time in her garden," his daughter said. His wife added that his mother "made sure all those children worked in the Victory Garden."

His mother helped found the League of Women Voters of Perrysburg and the Junior League of Toledo. That Front Street homestead became the 577 Foundation, which focuses on arts and the environment.

He attended Maumee Valley Country Day School and Princeton University. He had a master's degree in French literature from Columbia University.

Mr. Stranahan formerly played amateur hockey, won consecutive Toledo city singles tennis championships in the late 1960s, and enjoyed fly fishing.

His memberships included Belmont Country Club and Carranor Hunt and Polo Club.

"He was a gentleman from way back," his daughter said. "I feel no matter who he was talking with, that person felt more interesting because they were talking to my dad. He was witty and kind. He wanted everyone to be better in his presence. I think he succeeded."

He was formerly married to the late Elizabeth Bentley Rank and the former Cecily Stoddard McKelvy.

Surviving are his wife, the former Robin Wilson, whom he married Sept. 24, 1982; son, Duane Stranahan III; daughters Sarah Stranahan, Page Armstrong, and Katherine Stranahan Russo; brothers George and Michael Stranahan; sister, Mary Stranahan, and seven grandchildren.

The family plans to hold events later in Perrysburg and Naples to celebrate his life. Arrangements are by Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services, Naples.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com.