Dr. Harold Richardson

Dr Harold Richardson, Emeritus Professor, McMaster University, died suddenly on February 12, 2007, aged 68 years. Dr Richardson was recruited to McMaster University from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School in July 1971, to establish the microbiology program for the new medical school. Dr. Richardson made many significant contributions to education, research and service during his 27 years with McMaster University and the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, including serving as Director of Postgraduate Education from 1982 to 1990 and Director of Medical Microbiology.

Over his career, Dr. Richardson held many provincial and national appointments in health care organizations.  He was President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in 1990 and President of the Canadian Association of Medical Microbiologists.  In 1994, he was invested as a Knight of the Order of St. John by the Governor General of Canada, as a result of his volunteer work with St. John Ambulance.

In 1998 Dr. Richardson became Professor Emeritus with McMaster, and from 1998 until his retirement in 2006 devoted his time to the Ontario Medical Association as Director of the Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program, later QMP-LS.  He was a member and vice chair of the Canadian Advisory Committee to ISO Technical Committee 212 and had responsibility for the standard ISO 15189 for quality and competence for Medical Laboratories.

Dr Richardson is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Richardson, and his three children. At the request of his family, donations can be made in Harold�s memory in support of postgraduate medical education at McMaster University.