Colin D. MacLean, 84

Colin D. MacLean, 84, passed away on Oct. 24, 2011, at home.

He was the husband of Sharon DeLong.

Born in New York City, son of Angus and Ruth MacLean, he grew up in Canton, N.Y., graduating from the University of Maine, Orono, with a bachelor’s of science degree in forestry. He later earned a master's degree in forestry from the University of Maine. 

He enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1945 and served in occupied Japan. After graduation, he went to work for the U.S. Forest Service and relocated to Portland. From 1963 to 1967, he worked in Katmandu, Nepal as part of a foreign aid program through the forest service. He was a research forester in Portland until his retirement in 1992, when he moved to Eureka.

Colin loved to sing, discuss local and national news, and cook Nepali food. He spent a lifetime enjoying the outdoors, hiking, fishing, canoeing and skiing.  He was an advocate for the environment, wildlife and land conservation. He was active in the Unitarian church and sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Duncan MacLean of Portland, and Luther MacLean and Mary of Corvallis, Ore.; one stepson, Robert DeLong and Allison of East Greenwich, R.I.; two stepdaughters, Rachel Thomley and Erik of Cannon Falls, Minn., and Alice Siems and Chris of Los Osos, Calif.; and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Glacier Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1515 Trumble Creek Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Condolences can be sent in care of Alice Siems, P.O. Box 6272 Los Osos, CA 93412.