Archie LeRoy McPherran

McPherran, Archie LeRoy Ed. D. Feb 15, 1920 - Dec. 7, 2014 Dr. Archie McPherran was born in Dixon County, Nebraska on February 15,1920, where he attended a one room rural school through the fifth grade. He went on to graduate from Wayne State College, attend Princeton University, then receive a masters degree from Western Reserve University, and a doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska. He served as an educational administrator in Nebraska, Illinois, and California. He retired after serving fifteen years as Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. He then worked as a financial broker. During WWII he was an active duty Navy Officer, serving aboard an aircraft carrier in combat in both the Atlantic and Pacific. His carrier was seriously damaged by Japanese suicide planes off Okinawa in April 1945 During Archie's service he met Navy nurse Margaret Mann, who he married on August 27, 1945. They became the parents of Mark and Bruce McPherran. Bruce, an electrical engineer, died in 2003. Prior to moving back to California in 1960, Archie and Margaret lived in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska. Considered an expert in community college finance, he served on state and national committees. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Sons of the American Revolution, and an honorary admiral in the Nebraska Navy. Wayne State College gave him its Academic Achievement award, and the University of Nebraska School of Education named him one of its notables. Dr. McPherran is the author of five books and a number of articles. Survivors include son, Mark, daughters-in-law Michelle and Neda McPherran, granddaughters Dr. Caitlin McPherran (Scott) Lombardi and Kaylen McPherran, grandsons lan, Andrew, and Stuart McPherran; great grandsons Peter, Greyson, Colby, and Lincoln McPherran; brothers Donald (Marilyn), Darrell, and Jerry (Karen) McPherran; sisters Hazel Bern, Betty Hartung, and Jeannette (Dennis) Boyer. Also sister-in-law Patricia Mann Bertodatto, and a number of nieces and nephews.