LEAWOOD, Kan. – James Patrick McLean, M.D., 33, of Leawood, Kan., died Jan. 20, 2008, after a snowboarding accident in Breckenridge, Colo. He was born June 20, 1974, in Portland, the son of James D. and Jacqueline L. (Rittal) McLean, of Richardson, Texas. Dr. McLean was the grandson of the late James E. and Bernadette M. (Poulin) Rittal, and the great-grandson of Joseph S. and Leah A. (Soucy) Poulin, all of Bangor. Dr. McLean graduated at the top of his class from Jefferson Township High School, Jefferson Township, N.J., and cum laude from Rutgers University, where he captained the wrestling team for two years and was named an All-American Olympic Style Wrestler. After graduating from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of the State of New Jersey at Newark, he was appointed to a fellowship at the Rehabilitative Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Dr. McLean captained the rug-by team at his medical school, ran marathons and enjoyed iron man competition. He did volunteer work in inner city Newark, N.J., and brought medical care to the people of the remote Ecuadorean Amazon. Dr. McLean served as director of the University of Kansas Medical Center Spine Center and was assistant professor of medicine at Kansas University Medical School. In addition to his parents, Dr. McLean is survived by his brother, Justin D. McLean and his wife, Marlena J. McLean of Bedminster, N.J.; also Jennifer Slivka of Chicago; and a large extended family. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Basking Ridge, N.J. Dr. McLean was awarded a posthumous citation by the New Jersey legislature for his contributions to medicine and his charity work. To remember Dr. McLean in a special way donations may be made to the Kansas University Endowment Association, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160.
JAMES PATRICK MCLEAN, M.D.
