William Andrew McClenaghan

Sept. 11, 1927 - Oct. 17, 2010

William Andrew McClenaghan of Corvallis died on at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, after a long illness. He was 83.

McClenaghan was born on Sept. 11, 1927, in New York City to Robert Smith McClenaghan and Gertrude Seabrook McClenaghan. He was the second of five brothers, one of whom, Robert S. McClenaghan of Nashville, Tenn., survives.

McClenaghan married Norma Lou Kroeger in 1951. She preceded him in death in 1988. They made their home in Corvallis, where they raised three children: Heather McClenaghan of Eugene; William McClenaghan Jr. of Bellfountain; and Robert McClenaghan of Los Angeles, Calif.

In 2004, he married Linda Sward of Corvallis, who survives.

McClenaghan attended the University of Washington and Stanford University before joining the Oregon State University faculty. He was a professor in the Department of Political Science for 45 years. He specialized in American state and local government, and was an authority on Oregon political history. He was the author of "Magruder's American Government," a widely used textbook that he revised annually for 61 years.

McClenaghan was on the Corvallis City Council in the 1970s, and was a member of numerous state commissions. He assisted in providing election oversight during the takeover of the city of Antelope by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.

McClenaghan was a longtime member of the Corvallis Country Club, and was a fan of the New York Yankees since boyhood.

In addition to his wife and his children, McClenaghan is survived by a son-in-law, Jackman Wilson of Eugene, and two grandchildren, Seabrook Wilson of New York City and Jackman Wilson Jr. of Eugene. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Kristianne Higgins, and her daughter, Hayley, of Houston, Texas.

At his request, no services will be held. Contributions in McClenaghan's memory can be made to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation.