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.
Expressions of sympathy can be made on-line at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Blair and Kathy Smith
Dear Garrett, Brigitta, and loved ones, We are thinking of you all as we realize that Keith is gone. What an incredible man! We will forever remember croquet, and the red ball and the honor of being his partner. Croquet was always extra special on those” show and tell ” days when Keith shared his latest watercolours. Our hearts are heavy, but we are truly indebted to a man who enriched our lives, and a doctor who enriched the world. It was an honor and a true pleasure to be in his company, and his memory will always bring warmth and a smile. Holding you all close , Kathy and Blair Smith
Doug & Clara Dunne
So sorry to hear about the passing of Keith. He was indeed a wonderful man. In his lifetime, he accomplished what others can only dream about. We always looked forward to his visits here in Renews, NL. We will miss him dearly.
Maylanne Maybee
I will so miss our beloved “Uncle Keith”, who was close friends with our mother’s brother, Davidson Black III, and always part of our childhood visits to Toronto and the RCYC. He was funny, warm, and ever gracious. I especially remember his kindness in my awkward early teens when he used to greet me as “the belle of the ball”! May he dance in heaven.
Dr. Charlotte Wedge
Dear Garrett
It was an honour to know Dr. MacDonald as a mentor, then a colleague, and finally as someone to whom I could repay the kindness shown to me. I am so glad he visited not so long ago and was in fine form. He was ever cheerful and it was a joy to smile along with him.
Lorna Lee
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Keith. What an extreme pleasure to have known him. We will miss his visits to the vet clinic.
Ray Buncic
I was very saddened to hear of Keith’s passing. He was my teacher and later colleague in ophthalmology at U of Toronto. Always gentle, friendly and kind to all around him, a wonderful mentor and role model, please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. His memory lives on in Ophthalmology.
James Oestreicher
Dr MacDonald was so friendly to a new naive Ophthalmology resident (me) at Toronto Western, and also at a reception at his country home that fall. He also took us out on his dragon when we greaduated and had the party at RCYC. Really, a prince of a man. I am so glad to have known him.
James Oestreicher
Diane Killam
So very sorry to hear of Dr. MacDonald’s passing. He was a great doctor and a wonderful man. I was privileged to have had him as my specialist as did my mom and aunt. Thank you for all you did Dr. MacDonald.
Marta Alberti
Keith to us was a beautiful person, a beautiful mind and a beautiful artist. His passing fills our hearts with great sadness. My family and I will always cherish his memory through his art. Our condolences to Garrett and the MacDonald family.
Marta Alberti and Frank Svab
Bob Pashby
The world is a lesser place with the passing of Keith! Garrett and family, our sincere condolences.
Penny & Bob Pashby
Jane Pashby
Fond memories with ‘Uncle Keith’ sailing around Toronto Island in his Dragon, TWH picnics in his beloved Caledon, his watercolour Christmas cards. Just finished Life in Watercolor, a wonderful book about his life, including many of his paintings over the years.
Janie Pashby
Muriel and Nigel Hart
Please accept our sincerest condolences, Garrett, on the death of Keith. Keith was such a good friend to my father Jim Clare, to my mother Nancy Clare, always kind to me, and a wonderful ophthalmologist. We were truly lucky to have known such a great man.
Nancy Harris
‘Uncle Keith’ was a good friend of our deceased father, W R ‘Bob’ Harris. They went through medical training together and remained in touch thereafter. Dad had such affection for him and great respect and admiration for his professional accomplishments and contributions. My siblings and I have fond memories of his humor, warmth and intelligence.
I recall that Keith was the informal ophthalmology consultant when advice was needed for any eye problems that cropped up in the family! Perhaps Dad responded with orthopedic counsel from time-to-time!
An in memoriam donation has been sent to the A E MacDonald Library on behalf the Harris family.
With sincere sympathy,
Nancy Harris
George Papadeas
Our deepest heartfelt condolences on Dr. MacDonald’s passing, from everyone at Babalous Cafe and Deli.
May he rest in peace.
Ralph Mandel
Dear Ruth and Garrett,
It has been some years since Dr. MacDonald’s passing…I recently lost one of my Parents who were instrumental in obtaining Keith as our Ophthalmologist. I was a patient of his for close to 39 years. He was most helpful in getting me past the name calling of “four eyes” in grade school. His visits to the Medical Arts Building on Bloor Street and Margaret as his Secretary/Assistant were always a treat. He would always take a few minutes to regale me about his sailing adventures in Antigua. May his memory be blessing and comfort to all who knew him.
John Lindsay
My Mother took me to see Dr. MacDonald back when I was 6/7 about ‘66/67. We would always make a trip and visit the ROM with sunglasses of course. Remember the sailboat pictures and wondered why a not so well off kid from Rexdale was seeing such a special downtown doctor. Surely there were options closer to home.
Marleen Ninaka
My deepest condolences to the MacDonald family. He was my eye specialist for many years and thanks to him, I still have my sight. I am so thankful that he studied glaucoma otherwise I would not have any sight today. I will never forget him.