Albert Patrick McMahan, age 97, passed away peacefully June 25, 2013. A longtime Mercer Island, WA resident, Al was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and a true Irish gentleman.
Al was born on June 14, 1916 in Iowa City, Iowa. While his parents were Boston-area natives and he was proud of this history, his own roots were with the Hawkeyes. The youngest of five children, he was a 1937 graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Business Administration. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years throughout the Pacific. After WWII he married Rosemae Schulz in San Francisco. He began a 35-year career with Brown Brothers Adjusters, an independent insurance adjusting firm. He worked in the Bay Area and in San Luis Obispo. In 1957, he opened the Seattle office for Brown Brothers in the downtown White-Henry-Stuart Building. Al served as President of the Seattle Casualty Adjusters Association, Blue Goose International, and was a well-known and respected member of his profession.
Among his many civic and fraternal affiliations, Al belonged to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, attending their annual gathering for 50 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a 50-plus year member of the Washington Athletic Club. While not relinquishing his Hawkeye loyalty, he was also an avid Husky football fan, and a season ticket holder for over four decades.
Always ready with a story or a joke, Al’s kind and thoughtful nature was spiced with a great smile, hearty chuckle and true love for people. After Rosemae passed away, he met and married Jane Lynch Herman. For over 18 years, their primary residence was on Mercer Island. Al and Jane traveled extensively and enjoyed their winters at Blue Skies Village in Rancho Mirage, CA. Al loved sunshine, gardening, golf, cribbage and St. Patrick’s Day parties.
Al is survived by his wife, Jane Lynch Herman McMahan; two children, Jim McMahan of Seattle, and Pamela McMahan (Jacob Schlumpf) of Vashon Island, along with five grandchildren: Erin Schlumpf, Brightin Schlumpf, Danielle Harmon, Chase Harmon and Erica Ruland. Al is held in high honor by his extended clan of McMahan nieces, nephews and cousins and by Jane’s five children: Robin Allenby (Norm), Tim Herman (Joyce), Peggy Herman, Mary Evans (Jeff), Mike Herman (Marianne) and Jane’s eight grandchildren. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Rosemae; a son, Steven McMahan; and a daughter, Melinda (Robert Harmon).
Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, July 1 at 10 am at St. Monica Catholic Church, Mercer Island. Donations may be made in Al’s name to: St. Monica Friends of the Needy, 4301 88th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, WA 98040, or to the charity of your choice.
