H. Steve McManus, 78, of Daniel Island, South Carolina, died December 31, 2020 following a two year battle with a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor. He was born April 15, 1942, in Chester, South Carolina, son of the late Louise and Henry Plyler McManus. He was the youngest of 3 siblings. On August 1,1964, he married his high school sweetheart Rita Moon McManus. He was a native of Greer, SC where he graduated from Greer High School. He continued his education at The Citadel graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. He was named as a Distinguished Graduate from The Citadel and confirmed with an Honorary Doctorate degree in Business on June 9, 2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-1970 obtaining rank of Captain. His last assignment was serving on Air Force One. After his discharge, he joined Spartan Food Systems as the Manager of Hardee’s Restaurant in Alcoa, TN. During his career he rose through numerous positions until he was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 1984. In 1989, Steve became Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flagstar. In 1991, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of restaurant operations for Hardee’s, Denny’s, Quincy’s Family Steakhouses, and El Pollo Loco. In 1995, he joined Hardee’s Food System as the President and Chief Operating Officer. He resigned that position in June 1997 when Hardee’s was acquired by CKE Restaurants from Imasco Limited. During his retirement, he established the following LLC’s: McManus Development LLC, Moon McManus Residential Development LLC, Maw McManus Real Estate LLC, Co-Owner of Beacon Drive In Restaurant in Spartanburg, SC, Southeastern Development LLC, and Pack Square Investors LLC. He served upon the following Boards: Mountain 1st Bank, Pardee Hospital of Hendersonville North Carolina, The Citadel Foundation, Flagstar, Imasco Limited of Canada, and Blinktbi. On a more personal note, Steve was passionate about developing leaders. He and Rita were instrumental in starting The Principled Leadership Symposium at the Citadel. Over the course of his lifetime, he inspired and mentored countless individuals and groups. Steve never met a stranger, treated everyone he met with kindness, and made them feel that they were a cherished friend. He was an avid golfer learning to play in high school. His father gave Steve, who was right handed, a set of used left handed clubs and instructed him to make them work. Steve loved the competition and camaraderie of golf. He held memberships with Daniel Island Country Club, Champion Hills Country Club, and Carolina Country Club. Steve had a great love of fly fishing. He was always ready to wade in the streams, cast for a targeted fish, and hook the next big catch. He was particularly fond of fishing for Sailfish in Guatemala, Bonefish in Mexico, Permit in Florida, Rainbow Trout in Montana, along with Salmon and Rainbow Trout in Alaska. He was a wine enthusiast enjoying extraordinary red wines and traveled to wineries around the world. His Wine mantra was “life is too short to drink cheap wine.” He had an extensive collection of vintage red wines. Perhaps his greatest enthusiasm was for his beloved Ms. Queenie, 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera S, one of the last air cooled Porsches made. Before he passed, Steve gifted Ms. Queenie to The Citadel to fund the McManus Endowment. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rita Moon McManus. Steve is also survived by his two devoted children: son, Mark (wife, Elizabeth) McManus of Boiling Springs, SC and daughter, Stephanie McManus of Daniel Island, SC. He had 5 grandchildren, Will McManus of Spartanburg, SC; Adam McManus of Spartanburg, SC; Rob (wife, Whitley) McManus of Simpsonville; Langley (wife, Ashley) Brimm of Oxnard, CA; Emma Brimm of Charleston, SC. Steve had two great-grandchildren Braxton McManus of Spartanburg, SC and Ava McManus of Simpsonville. Mr. McManus is also survived by his sister, Sylvia (husband, Sam) Maw of Spartanburg, SC and his brother Sam (wife, Lynn) McManus of Brevard, SC. Due to COVID 19 restrictions placed on churches, the family will have a small service to be held in The Citadel Summerall Chapel. He will be interred in the The Citadel Columbarium. It was Steve’s request that donations be made to his beloved alma mater, The Citadel. Please make memorial gift donations to: H. Stephen and Rita M. McManus Leadership Fund. Donations can be made by mail to: H. Stephen and Rita M. McManus Leadership Fund at The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409 or online at https://foundation.citadel.edu.
Posted in: Post and Courier
Posted on: 2021-01-06
Link to original obituary: https://obits.postandcourier.com/us/obituaries/charleston/name/henry-mcmanus-obituary?pid=197437477