People could always trust Oxford resident Richard Megahan to do two things ? keep the school district’s finances in pristine order and make them laugh with his sharp wit and ever-present smile.
‘He was very serious about his job, but he could tell a joke or a story like no one else,? said Carol Micol, who works in human resources for Oxford Community Schools.
Sadly, Megahan passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010. He was 73.
Megahan managed the school district’s finances and operations from April 1983 to April 1994. He was hired as an assistant superintendent, but was later promoted to associate superintendent in 1988.
‘He was a man that I could completely trust and those kind of people are sort of rare,? said Dr. Mark Orchard, who served as superintendent from 1988-93 and was a good friend of Megahan’s. ‘He conducted himself in such a way that you knew what he was doing was aboveboard and that he would always be there for you. Dependable as a clock.?
‘He did such a fine job for the school district. He was great with finances,? said Helen Smith, a longtime booster for Oxford Schools. ‘He was a very kind, down-to-earth man.?
Megahan began his career in education as a teacher with the Clawson school district from 1958-62. He served as school administrator in Clawson from 1962 until he left in 1979 after spending five years as assistant superintendent. He then went on to Dearborn Heights School District No. 7 where he served as the business manager until coming to Oxford.
When it came to education, Megahan certainly wasn’t afraid to speak his mind regarding the issues of the day.
‘Dick had definite opinions about educational affairs, especially about business operations,? Orchard said. ‘He would express those if you asked him, but he would do it in a very nice way.?
Following his retirement, Megahan worked for Oakland Schools for six years.
But as serious and committed as he was about his job, Megahan had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make his friends and co-workers laugh.
‘He was just a fun guy to be with,? Orchard said. ‘He was the kind of guy you enjoyed being around.?
Orchard recalled one day he, his pastor and Megahan were golfing at Mulberry Hills in Addison Township, when Megahan scored a hole-in-one. Knowing that Orchard and his pastor didn’t imbibe alcoholic beverages, Megahan remarked, ‘At least I won’t have to buy at the 19th hole.?
‘He had a very quick wit,? Orchard said.
Over the years, Megahan, a lover of his community, volunteered his time with various groups including the Cub Scouts, Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance and little league baseball.
Megahan is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janice; children James (Cheryl) Megahan and Carole (Will) Schultz; and grandchildren Brian, Gregory, Michael and Steven.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 13 at Modetz Funeral Home in Orion Township. Interment at White Chapel Cemetery. Suggested memorials to the charity of your choice.