MACDONALD, Dr. R. Keith MacDonald - Died peacefully at home on November 14, 2018, in his 97th year.
Predeceased by his parents, Josephine (nee MacArthur) and Dr. A. Roy MacDonald of Port Dalhousie, and his brother William L. MacDonald. He is survived by his sister, Ruth E. Kingsmill.
Keith graduated from St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and went on to study medicine at the University of Toronto as a member of the Kappa Alpha Society, graduating in the class of 1945.
He was the locum tenons doctor in general practice in Chatham, Ontario, for Dr. Carmen White, then president of the Ontario Medical Association. Keith then returned to the University of Toronto to complete his training in ophthalmology.
In 1950, he became the doctor responsible for certifying eligible recipients for the federal blind pension in the outports of Newfoundland and Labrador, following the confederation of the province.
Keith was awarded the Alexander Pigott Wernher Memorial Trust Fund, a fellowship for research in the field of ophthalmology in London, United Kingdom, under Sir Stewart Duke Elder, then the eye surgeon for King George VI, focusing on the disease glaucoma. From this research he co-authored a paper which showed that abnormal capillary leakage in inflamed eyes is prevented by steroids, such as cortisone, as examined in his research. Keith continued glaucoma research in Toronto at the Banting Institute, and subsequently ran his own ophthalmology practice until 2005.
In his personal life, he developed a keen interest in yacht racing at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, racing in the dragon boat class for several years. He was also an accomplished watercolour painter, enjoying this activity throughout his life.
He was much loved by his patients, family and close friends. We will all miss him dearly.
A special thanks is extended to Garrett Pittenger, a kind and loyal friend and companion, who provided support to Keith, allowing him to reside at his cherished country home, until his passing.
There will be a gathering in the spring in Caledon to celebrate Keith’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the A.E. MacDonald Library (no relation), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, in Keith’s memory.
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