Dennis L. McCaughan OBITUARY Dennis L. McCaughan, 80, passed away quietly and peacefully at his home in Leelanau county on Sunday, August 4th, 2024.
He was diagnosed with brain cancer in September of 2023 and was able to live at home for the last 11 months in the care of his family and hospice. He is survived by his wife, Sally, his children, Christopher, Katie and Andrew, his daughters-in law, Genevieve, Susan and Brenna, his grandchildren Marlow and Charlotte, and his brother Peter. Dennis was born to Ernest and Louise McCaughan in San Francisco, California and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.
He often spoke of how the city and the sea were such important influences in his life. After graduating from Punahou School in 1962, he left for the mainland and received his undergraduate degree in journalism and English Literature from Boston University. He then served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran followed by two years in the US army where he was stationed at the Pentagon.
He returned to Hawaii to continue his studies in literature and then to California where he received his masters degree in Education at Stanford University. There he met hisfuture wife, Sally, and together they moved to Chicago where he continued to pursue his growing interest in mental health. After receiving his doctoral degree from the University of Chicago, he began his decades long career as a psychotherapist, teacher, consultant and mentor.
Those fortunate to have known him as his student, patient, colleague or friend, often spoke with great admiration and gratitude for his steadfast qualities of wisdom, patience, humor and kindness. Dennis loved being a father and was ever present and interested in his children’s lives. He drew great joy from introducing them to his beloved Hawaii, both the land and the sea.
And he spent countless hours with his family and his dogs, hiking, walking, exploring and simply being present in the beauty of nature. He was a good listener and always curious about what his children were experiencing and thinking about in their lives. As they grew older he especially looked forward to being together with great food, wine, conversation and laughter.
He was a devoted, loving and supportive husband. For the last 10 years of his life he and his wife lived on the Leelanau peninsula in northern Michigan. This third coast location, surrounded by water, big sky and open fields, offered him inspiration, memory and solace.
Dennis’s family extends their deepest gratitude and thanks to the hospice staff and all the caregivers and friends whose on-going care and support helped make sure that Dennis could be home during these last months of his life. He was deeply aware of and grateful for the opportunity to die at home with grace and in the loving embrace of his family. Honor with Flowers In memory of Dennis Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Dennis.
