April 04, 1941 - June 02, 2023
Michael E. Lehan was born April 4, 1941, to Edward and Margaret Lehan. He graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1960 and Eastern Washington University in 1966 with a degree in journalism and Russian. His summers were spent at the family's lake cabin at Loon Lake, swimming, boating, water skiing. In the winter he loved to snow ski. He served as Captain in the US Army, 229 1stAir Cavalry Air mobile in Vietnam, 1968. He was the lead assault helicopter pilot into the A Shau Valley during Tet. Mike played the army cavalry charge over all the pilots' headsets as they flew into the valley. He retrieved the Viet Cong flag that flew over Khe Sanh. Mike received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Mineral Wells, Texas where he was a civilian trainer for future army helicopter pilots. In 1970 Mike joined Bell Helicopter as Sales Manager for Southeast Asia. He sold $3 billion worth of helicopters to South Korea. His salary that year was $8,000. He wished he was on commission. Tired of 6 week trips to South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and People's Republic of China; he joined the production test pilot staff. He made sure helicopters coming off the production line could really fly. Michael LOVED flying helicopters! In 1977 he and his family decided to return to home to Spokane. For several years he worked at Keimle & Hagood in commercial real estate sales. He joined People to People and made numerous trips to Russia and the People's Republic of China. Occasionally he flew private helicopters for businessmen. He also started Door to Door Dry Cleaning and retired from there. Michael loved hosting family reunions at his Loon Lake cabin.He is survived by his son Chad (Tana) Lehan, daughter Julie (Scott) Heafey, grandchildren Mikayla Blacketer, Kaity Lehan , Liam Heafey and former wife Carol Snyder. He had a fantastic laugh. One time after a movie ended, a voice was heard in the theater, "Mike Lehan, I know you are here, I heard you laughing." He laughter will be missed!
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