Mike Lanning
This understated, intelligent man shaped and guided youthful lives in Pacific Palisades with simple wisdom for more than 73 years. Mike Lanning was born May 1, 1932, and passed away on March 16. He was 93.
As Troop 223 Scoutmaster, who helped more than 1,000 young men and women achieve Eagle status, passed away on March 16.
It was not only the teenagers who felt his influence; the troop had more than 123 assistant scoutmasters because “There is intense parental involvement,” Mike said. “Probably about 50 of those scoutmasters are parents whose kids have already gone through the program.”
One of those parents, who became executive assistant Scoutmaster and will now become Scoutmaster of Troop 223 was Greg Frost, who worked with Mike more than 25 years.
“Mike was truly a larger than life individual,” Frost said. “He had a profound effect on the adult leaders. I can say this because I learned so much from him. I am honored to continue his legacy and will continue the program that he put into place, although they are huge shoes to fill.
“He had an incredible effect on thousands of youth in our community, not only those that got Eagle but just about everyone who went through only part of the program,” Frost said.
In 2020, for the first time, girls were allowed to earn that prestigious status. Lanning was at the forefront of welcoming them to the ranks. That troop, 223G, run by Larry Kirven, quickly grew to one of the largest girls’ troops in the nation and now has the most girl Eagles in the United States.
Mike Lanning had the audience in stitches with his remarks, when he accepted the Citizen of the Year Award in 2022 at the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club.
In a 2014 speech to Eagle Scouts, he said: “First remember to be thankful, it will empower you and help you set aside the small stuff. Second, be opportunistic—the works is full of opportunities, and it is fun to be a leader. And third, remember, when the going gets tough, there is an indefatigable force within you that will take you anywhere you want to go.”
Born in Indio in 1932, Mike became a Boy Scout in 1941 and an Eagle Scout in 1947.
When he was accepted at UCLA in 1952, he and several friends started looking for a place to live near campus. One apartment was $85, “which was exorbitant,” Mike said.
One of his friends knew about a choir camp at the Presbyterian Synod grounds in Temescal Canyon that had cabins. A man in charge told them that if they fixed up a couple of cabins they could live there–for $15 a month.
He got involved as a Scoutmaster a year later and stayed in the Palisades while completing his undergraduate and law degrees at UCLA.
After graduating, Mike went into the Army for six months and then took his first job as an attorney in 1958 in Beverly Hills.
He became Scoutmaster of Troop 223 in 1953
He eventually met his wife Carol through Scouting, when her two boys signed up. They started dating in 1962 and were married in 1973.
From 1961 through 1976, Lanning worked in real estate development before setting up his own law practice. He specialized in advanced estate planning and wealth preservation for high and ultra-high-net-worth clients as well as business succession planning.
Mike was active at St. Matthew’s Church, where he served as the Senior Warden. He and Carol were named 2017 Honorary Canons of the Cathedral Center, for long outstanding service to the diocese, its bishops and the Parish.
He was also a member of Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283.
Lanning was named Pacific Palisades Citizen of the Year in 2022 for helping to raise generations of ethical young people.
Mike received numerous Scouting awards including Distinguished Eagle, and regional, council and district awards of merit, Scoutmaster of the Year, the James E. West Society Award and the Americanism Award Honoree (past awardees included Gerald Ford and Bob Hope).
He told CTN one of his wishes was to “figure out a way to get more parents to come and take a look at the Scouting program.” He said there was no way to quantify the leadership skills and self-confidence that youth in the program acquire.
For example, on an adventure trip, “Scouts average 50 miles a week backpacking. They carry everything then need to wear and to eat,” Mike said, noting that Scouts soon realize they can’t just go down to the store and buy something. They learn self-reliance.
And Scouting “is the oldest conservation organization in America. We’re trying to get kids to take care of nature.”
In a 2019 story, CTN asked him if he had plans for retirement. Then Mike said that he remembered when he was camping as a Scout. An older Scoutmaster went to take a nap under a tree and died.
“Might not be a bad way to go,” he said, and added, “I have no plans of retiring.”
He was predeceased by his wife Carol, and leaves behind her three children, Phil, Chris, and Dawn, their spouses, six grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future.
Mike Lanning helped numerous young men and women achieve Eagle Scout status. Photo: MOLLY COLEMAN
Mike Lanning was my attorney and friend for many years,
A wonderful Palisadian
He will be sorely missed
Mike
Rest In Peace, I knew you were a great man when I met you, and understood the challenge you undertook with the Boy Scouts. Each of the scouts knew how hard Mike was getting them to meet each and every challenge and requirement of their journeys, but they individually recognized him in pushing them to achieve. This was also true toward each parent of the scouts, they too were accountable for their developing scout and to Mike.
We’ll miss Mike and continue to thank him for his guidance to our Eagle Scouts in their growing maturity. Mike Lanning is responsible for more than just Eagle Scouts, and that number is unbelievably large, but an even larger number of Scouts working towards the Eagle goal.
Thank you for this beautiful remembrance of a wonderful friend of our community. I remember him well. His kindness and steadfast support of our young will live on.
Eagle Scout Troop 223 Fall of 1968. RIP, Mike.