Volume 86 - Spring/Summer 2004	Download

In Memoriam Colin R. Macpherson, MD (1924-2004)

Dr. Colin R. Macpherson died peacefully on January 8, 2004, at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 79 years, surrounded by family and friends.

Colin Macpherson was Chair of the ASCP Board of Schools when discussions about the need to separate accreditation and certification were initiated. Colin played a significant role in development of an independent accrediting agency, and NAACLS was formed in 1973. He was the first Chair of the NAACLS Review Board and held that position until 1975. Over the following years Colin served as a NAACLS volunteer, continuing his contributions as a paper reviewer and site visitor until 2002.

Colin was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and as a teenager was evacuated to South Africa during World War II. He attended Rhodes University in Grahamstown, SA, and the University of Cape Town Medical School where he received his Master's, M.D, and PhD degrees. Colin served his internship and residency in South Africa before accepting a fellowship at the Post-graduate Medical School in London. In 1956, he accepted a research fellowship at the Ohio State University and moved his growing family to Columbus, Ohio. During his years at OSU, Colin went on to serve as Professor in the Department of Pathology, Vice-Chairman and acting Chairman of the Department of Pathology, and as Director of the Blood Bank, Medical Technology, and Division of Laboratory Medicine at University Hospital.

In 1975, Colin and his family moved Cincinnati, Ohio when Colin joined the University of Cincinnati. During his 29 years at UC, Colin was a leader within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine community, and served in many roles. He was Director of Laboratory Medicine at the University, and was a consultant pathologist at the Veteran's Administration and Shriner's Hospitals. He also served as the Medical Director of the Hoxworth Blood Center for four years, and was laboratory consultant to the Drake Center. After his 'retirement,' Colin continued his career as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the College of Medicine and in the Department of Analytical and Diagnostic Sciences in the College of Allied Health Sciences.

Colin was also the long-time Medical Advisor of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program in the College of Allied Health Sciences at UC, and that is how we came to know him. For all of us in the CLS Program, Colin never played just one role. He was at once an educator, physician, administrator, colleague, and most of all, mentor and friend. Colin took all of us under his wing in the most gentle of fashions. He never failed to guide us through any situation, often using his sense of humor as he made key points. "Let me tell you what happened to me once," he would say, and would go on to tell a story that provided the very solution that was needed. Many CLS students were also benefactors of Colin's experience; over the years he participated in most of the program's courses. One of Colin's favorite lectures to present was his lecture on the Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria because it allowed him to draw upon his experiences in South Africa. Colin's style in the classroom was masterful. He was gifted in his ability to convey complex concepts, and in his ability to coax students to reach beyond the facts and to critically assess a given issue. It is a style that all of us attempt to emulate.

Colin also taught in the College of Medicine at UC. In 1981, he developed the first Medical Ethics course in the College, and then went on to develop the Death, Dying and Grieving course. Both of these courses are taught in the first term of the first year of medical school as it was important to Colin that these concepts be infused very early in the medical students' training, saying "our main objective and hope is that we can plant the seed and pray that it flourishes as they move through medical school." Colin was recognized twice by the medical students when he was awarded the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, and he was similarly acknowledged by the College of Medicine in 2003 when he was awarded the Lifetime Teaching Achievement Award.

Colin and his wife Margaret enjoyed world travel, and Colin was an accomplished photographer. His photographs have been featured in exhibits in the Health Sciences Library in the College of Medicine and in the College of Allied Health Sciences, where permanent collections remain. Colin also donated his photographs to the Ronald MacDonald House, Shriner's Hospital, and to various other hospitals and organizations, often as part of a fundraising activity.

Colin was the beloved husband of Margaret for 54 years, and devoted father to Shelagh Watson, Catherine Macpherson, Janet Macpherson, and Mary Macpherson. His grandchildren are Jennifer and Colin Watson, and his sons-in-law are Richard Watson, Robert Woodhouse, and Kim Smith.

Dr. Colin R. Macpherson's career in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine spanned some 50 years. During those years, he touched the lives of many and was a wonderful role model for both students and colleagues. His professional legacy is one of integrity, dedication, and sincerity. His personal legacy is one of kindness, peace, wisdom, and humor. We will miss him.

Written by:
Linda J. Graeter, PhD MT(ASCP)
Director, CLS Program
Asst. Clinical Professor, CLS Program
College of Allied Health Sciences
University of Cincinnati

Gideon H. Labiner, MS MT(ASCP) CLS (NCA)
Asst. Clinical Professor, CLS Program
College of Allied Health Sciences
University of Cincinnati
 

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