Mikan Legacy
Robert Edward Mikan, 88, of Butler passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. He was born on Oct. 30, 1932, to Mary Belli and Ivan Mikan in Trafford, Pa. He graduated from Trafford High School in 1950, and then graduated in 1953 from General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich., with a degree in dealer operations and management.
Drafted into the U.S. Navy, Bob served from 1955 until 1957 aboard the USS Edisto (AGB-2), an icebreaker exploring areas in the Antarctic. He then served four years in the U. S. Navy Reserve.
Bob's passion for cars started at a very early age. His father, Ivan, founded the Mikan Motor Co. in Trafford in 1924, selling Chryslers and Hudsons. Ivan added the Pontiac franchise in 1940. Bob began working for his father at age 11, and his first car sold was a 1946 Pontiac Torpedo.
Bob and his brother, John, worked together in Trafford and expanded Mikan Motor Co. into Butler in 1969, starting with the Pontiac franchise, and later adding the Isuzu and Volkswagen franchises during 1984 and 1988. In 1992, Bob's son, David joined the family business. The Mikan automotive legacy spanned 92 years.
Bob Mikan and the Mikan Motor Co. were an integral part of the Trafford and Butler communities. They were known throughout the area for providing customers with quality motor vehicles and automotive services. Bob was a loyal, fair, honest man, whose leadership and integrity were well respected by his employees and customers.
After stepping down as president of Mikan Motors, Bob remained active in the business. He continued to go to the dealership six days a week, and enjoyed interacting with his employees and customers from his favorite green chair.
Robert E. Mikan, Trafford High Class of 1950
Bob was an active member of the Pennsylvania Automotive Dealer Association and the Pittsburgh Automotive Dealer Association, where he served as director. He also served as a board member of the Western PA Pontiac Dealers Association.
He was passionate about serving the Trafford and Butler communities. He joined the Rotary Club in 1954. Mikan Motors often sponsored an antique car show on their property, with proceeds benefiting the Butler Rotary Turkey Round-Up. Bob and Mikan Motors also donated to numerous local charities and nonprofits.
Bob was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, where for years, he held a leadership role.
In 1961, Bob married Nancy Ann Majernik, and they enjoyed 60 wonderful years together. They loved traveling and taking vacations with their extended family. He was a kind, loving husband, father and grandfather, who always put his family first. As a positive role model for his children and grandchildren, he demonstrated firsthand that hard work, faith, honesty, integrity and selflessness would help them succeed in life.
Bob never missed an opportunity to watch his grandchildren participate in the many activities they loved. Aside from loving family time, he was a passionate Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan.
Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, who was his steadfast support and comfort over the course of his long illness; his children, Amy Barrett of Rockville, Md., Allison McClanahan (Jeff) of Houston, Texas, and David Mikan (Christine) of Butler; and his nine grandchildren, Russell Barrett, Peter Barrett, Brian Barrett, Seamus Barrett, Ryan McClanahan, Haley McClanahan, Dylan McClanahan, Benjamin Mikan and Evan Mikan.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, John Mikan, who passed away in 2015.
MIKAN - A celebration of the life of Robert Edward Mikan, who died Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, will be held when circumstances permit his many friends and family to gather.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
The family has established a Rotary Club of Butler scholarship fund in Bob's memory. Contributions may be made in Bob's name to Rotary Club of Butler, Attn: Robert Mikan Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1081, Butler, PA 16003.
