The 2025 Chronicle

clinical cardiology, teaching and research. He was also a skilled leader and admin istrator, and served as dean of medicine at McGill (1966-1972) and the University of the Witwatersrand (1984-1987). He was president of the Conseil d’évaluation des technologies de la santé du Québec (1988-1994) and chaired the Health Technology Assessment Unit at the McGill University Health Centre (2000 2013). During his lifetime he received numerous awards, including the Order of Quebec and the Order of Canada. Written by James McGregor MEYER, ANTHONY THEODORE BENSON Born 1924, Died 2025 Michaelhouse 1937-1940 A proud South African, World War II vet eran, widely travelled family man and businessman, Anthony Theodore Ben son Meyer was born on 7 April 1924 on the Geduld gold mine near Springs outside Johannesburg, where his father was a mine manager. His early years were spent on the mine, until his parents moved to Johannesburg and he boarded at Parktown School, before progressing to Michaelhouse in 1937. Reflecting on his Michaelhouse days, he wrote: “I was sent to Michaelhouse largely because my mother, who had previously headed up the teacher training college in Johannesburg, wanted me to receive the best English-style education available in South Africa. To her horror my Founders Housemaster turned out to be a salt-of the-earth Afrikaner called Piet Barnard. I remember Piet kindly, although he did have an amusing habit of administering corporal punishment not with the regu lation cane but with whatever sapling or branch of tree came to hand. “I remember fierce debates about the po litical pressures within South Africa, the question of South Africa’s role in the world, the state of the fighting in Europe, Ameri ca’s apparent desire not to be drawn in, and whether we as individuals would have the opportunity to sign up… a time of overt bravado, and internal trepidation.” Excelling in maths, he gained a first-class matric in 1940 aged only 16. He was of fered a place at Brasenose College, Ox ford, to study actuarial sciences, but not until he was 18. Consequently he joined the accountancy firm of Howard Pimm Hardy as an articled clerk, before signing up as a sapper with the SA Engineering Corps before his 18th birthday in1942.

herself) and was almost always inclined to start with a charitable viewpoint. As his grandson, also Mark, read at his memorial service: He was a man of care. It takes subtle care to tie a fly, And care immense to sit a lofty bench Our care and his are intermingled here, in sacred air. Harbour you forth his love It will not lessen this life to next, Nor ever slack. A final word, for me: If I meet him above, perhaps it be Because I learned of justice at his knee. Written by Paul Kumleben (Pascoe, 1971) On 4 August, Dr Maurice McGregor died peacefully in his home. He is survived by: his son James (Marie-José LeBlanc) and daughter Margaret (John Price); his grandchildren Dominique, Thomas, Mae and Charlotte; his great-grandchildren Margot, Patrick, Molly, Julie and Frank lin; and his nieces and nephews Alastair, Peter, Fenella, Gillian, Jennifer, Margot, John and Bridget. He will be remembered as an outstand ing physician and teacher and as an em inent researcher. Above all he was a beloved friend, men tor and role model to numerous people in many countries. Maurice’s remarkable generosity of time and interest made ev eryone with whom he interacted feel spe cial and loved. Maurice was born in South Africa and studied medicine at Johannesburg’s Uni versity of the Witwatersrand. In 1943, fresh out of medical school and with no clinical experience, he served as a medi cal officer (captain, SA Medical Corps, Brit ish 8th Army, US 5th Army) in Italy in World War II. After the war he returned to South Africa, completed his medical internship and returned to England for a postdoctor al residency in cardiology. There, he mar ried his lifelong partner and best friend, Dr Margot Becklake (1922-2018). In 1950 he returned to South Africa, where his two children were born, and in 1957 he emi grated with his family to Montreal when he was recruited by McGill University. Over the years he played multiple roles in MCGREGOR, MAURICE (Oldest Living OM) Born 1920, Died 2025 Michaelhouse 1933-1936

at Walter Strachan’s home were highlights of each week, but Mark always said he was one of the few fortunates who enjoyed his work as much as his pastimes. (His family thinks he meant nearly as much.) He also expanded his range of outside activities, including chairing the SA Rhodes Scholar ship Selection Committee and being pres ident of the Natal Fly Fishing Society and the Federation of SA Flyfishers. In 1988 Mark was appointed to the Ap pellate Division of the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein. He enjoyed the intellectual challenge of the apex court, but missed much of what Natal offered. He later also served on the courts of appeal of Botswa na and Lesotho. In 1995 President Man dela appointed him chairman and sole member of the judicial enquiry into “The Alleged Smuggling of and Illegal Trade in Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn in SA”. He con ducted this task with great interest and vigour, and after many months of hearings and evidence produced a lengthy report that concluded, in part, that members of the SADF were engaged in extensive illicit trade. This report received global atten tion and was widely cited in conservation circles. This was in contrast to the 1998 report of a commission he chaired on “In stitutional Arrangements for Nature Con servation in SA”, which dealt with co-op eration of national, provincial and private reserves. Mark was convinced that after he had delivered the report to the minis ter it was never read by him or any other senior government official. In 1998 Mark retired from the Appeal Court and he and Ann moved to Herma nus, a beloved holiday destination for decades. He continued to arbitrate and was involved with several local entities, as well as national ones, such as his great friend Michael Cassidy’s Africa En terprise. In Hermanus he was a wonder ful paterfamilias to Paul and Sue, Mark and Gio, Etienne, and his grandchildren, Mark, Nick and Emma. A few years after Ann’s untimely death in 2003 he married Lulu Theron, and for many years they enjoyed an active retire ment in Hermanus, including his passions for reading and gardening. He remained in his own home until his good innings ended at 97. He was always a warm and engaging companion to family, friends and others, good company and, in an unassuming way, setting good examples (not always followed by family). He treat ed all with respect (in his final years on receiving his 6 o’clock whiskey from a car er he always asked if she had a drink for

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