[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Richardson_Harold.jpg” caption=”Dr. Harold Richardson, professor emeritus, pathology and molecular medicine, passed away on Monday, Feb. 12. A memorial tribute will be held Saturday, Feb. 17. Photo courtesy of FHS.”]A memorial tribute will be held Saturday, Feb. 17 for Dr. Harold Richardson, professor emeritus, pathology and molecular medicine, who passed away on Monday, Feb. 12.

Dr. Richardson's family invite friends and colleagues to join them in the Great Hall of the McMaster University Club from 1 to 3 p.m.

Dr. Richardson, 68, was recruited to McMaster University from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School in July 1971 to establish a microbiology program for the new medical school.

He 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 he devoted his time to the Ontario Medical Association as director of the Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program, later QMP-LS.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Richardson, who retired in December 2006, who was also a faculty member in pathology and molecular medicine; his daughter Anne McCrone, her husband Jim and their children Jenna and Colin; his daughter Louise Cooke, her husband Tim, and their daughters Allison and Samantha; his son Andrew Richardson, his wife Gennine, and their children Liam and Nicole; and his brother Alan, his wife Liz, and their daughters Kate and Caroline.

Dr. Richardson's efforts to promote higher education for physicians at McMaster were symbolic of his passions. At the request of his family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold's memory in support of postgraduate medical education at McMaster University. Cheques payable to McMaster University can be sent c/o the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, MDCL-3107.