Regan, Robert

Lt. Robert Regan, Lad.118 “Mr Mom” Robert M. Regan, 48, of Floral Park, was a lieutenant in New York City fire department’s Ladder 118. He was last seen in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel evacuating people. His remains were recovered New Year’s Day, 2002. Soon after her husband was killed, Donna Regan told their children, Caitlin and Brendan, 16 and almost 12 at the time, “We’re going to be OK. Then we’re going to be a little better. Then we’re going to be good. Then we’re going to be fantastic.” Almost 10 years later, their daughter is a graphic designer living in Manhattan and their son just graduated from Marist College and is an intern at NBC. “Now their shoulders are strong, their chins are up, and they are thriving,” Regan said. She attributes their success to her husband’s enduring impact. “From strong roots grow tall trees. It’s all him.” Robert Regan, a civil engineer for 10 years, had been unhappy with the time away from home that the job demanded. In 1985, he joined the fire department, where he enjoyed the camaraderie and the ability to spend more time with the children. “He loved the fact that the fire department allowed him to be Mr. Mom,” his wife said. He coached their son’s Little League team and coordinated a summer baseball league. Brendan Regan’s dream had been to go to his father’s high school, Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens, and play baseball – which he did. And Donna Regan attributes their daughter’s design skill to time with her father. “They planned and designed the absolute best projects together – hence her precise eye for detail now as a graphic designer – all gifts from him,” she said. The family has established a Robert M. Regan Scholarship at Archbishop Molloy. And a baseball/softball field in Floral Park has been named after him. But his greatest legacy is their children. “Facing this 10th anniversary, to be able to say we’re OK, we’ve taken him with us – that’s nothing short of a legacy,” she said. When people see their children, “they are going to see him.” – Ridgely Ochs