Robert F. McLean

       On the 70th anniversary of when he first introduced himself to his lifelong sweetheart at a popular dance hall called Ruby and John’s, Robert Fletcher McLean entered his final rest. Bob was born to Solomon McLean and Mary Hasty McLean in Richmond County, North Carolina, on October 25, 1937, the last of seven children; and he died Friday, July 10, 2026.

       From his loving family and the close-knit mill village community in which he was raised, Bob learned the importance of faith, family, hard work, humility, and integrity. In his youth, Bob played every sport available. While at Rohanen High School in Rockingham, North Carolina, he excelled at basketball, baseball, football, and catching the eye of Emily Ann Leigh, from neighboring Hamlet. Football earned him a scholarship to Elon College, an opportunity for which he was forever grateful. He cherished his time at Elon and often delighted in sharing stories of his college days with a close group known as the “Varney Boys,” named after the beloved and feared Coach Sid Varney, for whom they played. Upon college graduation, he accepted a position at McClenaghan High School in Florence, South Carolina, and became a much-loved history teacher and football and basketball coach.

       He married Emily on June 18, 1961, and she joined him on the faculty there. Bob left teaching to begin selling insurance to educators through Horace Mann Insurance Company before opening a Nationwide Insurance Agency in 1975, which he owned and operated for 30 years. The success of his agency was based on a strong sense of decency and respect. A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church of Florence since 1963, Bob served as an elder, a deacon, and a Sunday School teacher; and his faith was refreshed and renewed through many conferences, Bible studies, and time spent at Montreat.

       He was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, where he served as president and lieutenant governor. He will long be remembered for dancing in the kitchen with “Em,” hollering “Ya-hooo!” when returning home after a long day at work, drawing cartoons and making up games, working in the yard and on various crafts, being a stickler for punctuality, serving others with quiet humility and goodness, and believing his life became more than he ever dared imagine.

       He is survived by his adoring wife of 65 years, Emily Ann Leigh McLean; devoted children Robert Mark McLean (Shelley) of Charlotte, NC, Heather McLean Jenkins (George) of Columbia, SC, Laura McLean Marechal (Erik) of Florence, SC, and Courtney McLean Thompson (Greg) of Charlottesville, VA; grandchildren Mary Scott (Daniel), Robert (his namesake, Abby), Ronnie, Alexander, Emily, Hamilton, Matt, Ellen Grace, Caroline, Margot, Ann, and Hal; great-grandchildren Eliza, Hadley, and Fletcher; German exchange daughter Agnes Molnar; and goddaughter Angie Rogers Reid. He is preceded in death by his parents and six siblings. 

       A visitation will be held at the family home Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, from 6:30-8:30. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Florence Monday morning, July 13, at 11:00, followed by a reception. Memorials may be made to House of Hope of the Pee Dee, 1020 W. Darlington St., Florence, SC 29501.

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