Richard "Dick" Norbert McLean

On Wednesday, October 9, 2025, Dick McLean loving husband and father of three passed away at 84 at his home surrounded by his wife and children. Dick has been a long- time resident of Brighton, Colorado where he and his wife Nancy have lived since they married in 1989.         

Dick Mclean was born October 7, 1940, in Evanston Illinois to James and Mary Frances (Burnham) McLean. Dick had three brothers and a sister. 

Dick was raised in Chicago and lived there until at age 19, he went into the Army. He spent three years in the Army, with eight months in Korea working near the demilitarized zone. He served the next 11 months in Okinawa and the remaining at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. 

He liked Colorado and decided to stay here, marrying his first wife and had two children, Sean and Michele.

After moving to Denver, Dick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado in business administration with an emphasis in finance.

He moved to Brighton I 1982 and was hired by First Bank and Trust.  He left the bank in 1990’s and with some investors started the First National Bank of Brighton (now is Independent Financial), where he spent 10 years there as president until he retired.

Dick and his wife Nancy have been married thirty-five years and have a son, Gavin who is thirty. 

Dick was active in his church, the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of the Elks Club.  He was on the Platte Valley Medical Center board, The United Power Board of Directors, Brighton Economic Development, Adams County Economic Development, Lochbuie Sewer Board, Heart of Brighton Committee, he was a member of the Rotary Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.  Dick served on E-470 board.  He served on City Council and then was mayor.  Dick loved serving the people of Brighton and was on City Council beginning November 2005 until November 2009.  Then he elected Mayor and served starting November 2009 until January 2018. 

Dick was also a part of the chain gang for the Brighton High School Bulldogs. He worked the sticks on the end of the chains. He said, “You had to pay attention while having the best view of every play.  After the games, he would join the other guys to celebrate by having a beer rather the team won or not.

Dick was well-known in Brighton and was known for his great sense of humor. To his wife and son Gavin, it wasn’t always as funny as Dick thought.  His friends and colleagues however, found him much more amusing. Dick liked to golf and yet hated it. He displayed his hate when he slammed his clubs and yelled.  One friend said you could find one of Dick’s drivers in the lake. He liked to play poker and joined a group of friends on Fridays at his home or one of theirs. He and Nancy also enjoyed many city functions over the years and spending time spending money on actions and dancing the night away. Another favorite pass time for Dick and Nancy was participating in progressive dinner parties. You could find them at various couple’s homes enjoying laughs, food, and drink. Dick also enjoyed family vacations with his in-laws and family. Those vacations took them to Hawaii, Saint Thomas, Saint Martin, Jamaca, and Balize.

 He was known by many and could be found on Tuesdays and Fridays mornings having coffee with his friends at McDonalds. With that group there was many laughs and shanagans.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy, son, Gavin (April) McLean, son, Sean (Lori) McLean, daughter Michele (Scotty)Perkins, grandchildren, Tyler McLean, Kyla McLean, Amanda McLean, Jason Collins, Alyssa Collins, great granddaughter, Piper McLean.

Dick is proceeded in death by his parents, his brother James McLean, Tom McLean and stepson Spencer Potter.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dick" Norbert McLean, please visit our floral store.