Robert L McGranahan

A gentle, although weak, smile. A last breath. With that, Robert L. McGranahan, the “best father ever,” left us to be with his beloved wife of nearly 62 years, Mildred. If life is the dash between the two dates on one’s headstone, the dash cannot be large enough to capture Bob’s 90 years. Bob was born in Aurora, Ohio. He worked in his father’s business, attended Aurora High School and graduated with the Class of 1940. Probably, more than anything, he enjoyed playing football. Bob attended Heidelberg College, Tiffin, OH on a football scholarship, playing both center and middle linebacker, from 1940 until October 1942. He majored in physics and was a fiercely proud Excelsior Society member. World War II interrupted his football season. Bob left college to enlist in the Marine Corps. He was assigned to Marine Corps Training Center, San Diego for basic training. During testing, Bob demonstrated his amazing mathematical aptitude. He was transferred to Chicago to complete Radio Materiel School, then to Grove City College for Radio and Electronics School and finally to the Naval Research Lab, Anacostia, MD. Following training, and after earning the Special Military Qualification of Radio Repairman, he was assigned to the Pacific Area and served with VMSB 231, (Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 231) at Kwajalein, Majuro and Eniwetok, followed by the Occupation of China. Bob was discharged from the Marine Corps in June, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, (Avn) and “excellent” service. Following World War II, Bob enrolled at Case Institute and earned his second degree in Electrical Engineering. During that time, his sister, Grace, introduced Bob to her best friend, Mildred. Milly became the love of his life. Married in June, 1949 in New York City, they settled on Long Island, where he enjoyed boating and fishing on the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay. Together, Bob and Mildred created a loving home and reared their four children. Bob was an engineer for Sperry Gyroscope his entire career. He continued his service to his country as a member of the team that invented, designed and built the US Navy’s Ship’s Inertial Navigation System (SINS). That SINS system was ultimately installed on every Navy ship. Bob travelled the world supporting the Navy and “his” SINS system. During his career he was also responsible for the installation and testing of advanced Navy navigation systems on both the USS Compass Island and USS Vanguard. More than anything, Bob enjoyed his children and grandchildren. Pop Pop always attended their activities – sporting events, theatrical productions and ceremonies. He made family vacations fun. Bob and Mildred later moved to Mount Holly to be near family. Bob was a lover of dogs his entire life – Collies, Vizslas and, most recently, Zilpha, a rescue Boxer. Relishing time together, he loved and was loved deeply by his wife, children and grandchildren. All of this, and more, made for a very large dash. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred, parents, John Byron and Mina Pearl McGranahan, brother, John McGranahan, and sisters, Katherine McGranahan and Grace Brown. Left to celebrate his life and legacy are his children Katherine McGranahan Livingston (Thad), Robert L. McGranahan (Ann), Sarah McGranahan-Edwards (Jeff), Jay Byron McGranahan; and grandchildren: Carrie Grace, Thaddeus Andrew (Erica), Kate, Andrew Elijah, and Bobby. Friends may call Wednesday evening between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m., at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ. Interment will be at Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to Parsippany United Methodist Church, 903 South Beverwyck Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054-4341.

Robert L McGranahan

June 19, 1922 - October 12, 2012