In Remembrance: Michael McLean

In Remembrance: Michael McLean (1950-2022)

MICHAEL E. MCLEAN passed away August 23, 2022, at the age of 72, leaving behind his wife, Sandra McLean; son, Jeff McLean; mother, Rea Ann McAllister; father, Glenn McLean and sister, Debra Drew.

Mike spent a lifetime in the precious metals industry as a mining engineer. He was a graduate from the University of Nevada, Mackey School of Mines. His hobbies included chasing the elusive trout of the Yellowstone River with a fly rod in one hand and a beer in the other. He loved scouring the deserts for glimpses of history with anyone who was willing, which was mostly a furry four-legged companion. However, his great passion was his writing, and he won several awards for his works. His story “Backroads” was the winner of the 2012 Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest. McLean believed that the less travelled—and often lonely—back roads of the West offer intimate access to the land, its people, and their stories. He was a regular and highly-regarded contributor to Saddlebag Dispatches, and his short stories were masterpieces of the form.

He will be deeply missed but never forgotten by many as he was a gentle giant of a man with a kind heart and an easy smile.