These awards were established through the generosity of Judith MacDonald in memory of her husband, Dr. Ian Joseph MacDonald, Science ’54.
Ian grew up in Wellesley, Ontario and attended high school in Kitchener. During his undergraduate years at Queen’s he was Engineering Society Vice President, a member of the water polo team and a regular contributor to the Queen’s Journal, notably as “Scribe” of the weekly satirical column “Steamshovel”. He was also a member of the University Naval Training Unit and spent summer months, as a navel cadet, on board ship.
Ian was one of the top achievers in his mechanical engineering class and was an inspiration to his class mates. Upon graduation from Queen’s, in 1954, Ian was awarded Athlone Fellowship and attended the University of Birmingham, England, where he obtained a M.Sc. in Thermodynamics and related studies.
Returning to Canada, Ian worked as research engineer in the Paper Machinery Division of Dominion Engineering in Lachine, Quebec. This was followed by a five year period at the Royal Military College in Kingston as Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Returning again to England, he studied at the University of Southampton, as a Research Fellow in the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research where he obtained his Ph.D. in Finite Element Analysis. On returning to Canada, he became head of research services at Dominion Engineering, providing research support to the Hydraulic Turbines, Gear Unites and Paper Making Machinery Divisions.
Ian loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping and canoeing throughout Ontario; in Algonquin Park, on the Missinaubi River and elsewhere. He was an accomplished underwater diver and, while at RMC, frequently dove in the nearby waters retrieving many artifacts of historical interest including pieces of ancient machinery, cannon balls etc. from sunken ships in the area.
Ian was a caring person, steadfast in his friendships and a delightful companion. He had a lasting influence on many young people and will be remembered by all who knew him as a scholar and a gentleman.
