Accident claims physician A distinguished physician, Dr. William James MacPherson, died suddenly Friday morning when the vehicle he was driving was struck by a VIA passenger train at a crossing on Trepannier road in McLoed's (January 31st). He was 69.

He was due to retire Friday January 31st, (three hours after his death) and was planning to pursue research and continue clinical involvement, both here and in Houston, Texas.

Born in Campbellton on February 18, 1933, he was the son of the late Dr. John James MacPherson and the late Irene Ethel Murray MacPherson.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Movius MacPherson of Houston, Texas, daughters Bryn Murray MacPherson-White (Andrew) of Toronto, Kristin Ann MacPherson, also of Toronto, son W. James MacPherson (partner Catherine Purchase) of Los Angeles, California, step-daughter Jill Records Kirk (Ray) of Houston, stepsons, John M. Records of Houston, and grandchildren Signy, Arabella and Keiller of Toronto and Kendall Meritt Records of Houston.

Also surviving are a sister, Myrtle MacPherson McWilliam (Michael) of Dublin, Ireland, a brother, Donald Edward MacPherson of Terrace, B.C., and numerous nieces and nephews.

In high school, he was awarded the Birk's and Governor General Medals. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University, his medical degree from McGill and a Master's degree in Public Health from Harvard University, where, as the recipient of a student fellowship from Harvard he majored in Administration of Health Services.

After completion of his post-graduate training in internal medicine and cardiology in Montreal and Boston, he returned to Campbellton in 1966 and practised as a specialist in cardiology and internal medicine until 1972. He was instrumental in setting up the first regional intensive care unit at the Soldier's Memorial Hospital.

During the past 30 years, MacPherson has held a number of senior management positions in health c are planning and delivery which have included: Clinical Director of the Emergency Department of the Toronto General Hospital; Principal Advisor for Special Services in Ontario Hospitals with the Ontario Ministry of Health (with major involvement in cardiovascular services and special care units); Medical Director of the Commissioning Team for the first teaching hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia; and from 1983 to 1992, he served as a Director in the health care organisation of the world's largest oil company, the Saudi Arabian Oil Company in Saudi Arabia. The health care organisation of the company provided care for a total of 250,000 employees and their dependants according to American Joint Commission Standards.

MacPherson was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Cardiology.

His part-time academic positions at the University of Toronto included assistant professor of preventive medicine and biostatistics, assistant professor of family and community medicine and assistant professor of medicine.

He has chaired federal and provincial working groups for the development of guidelines for various hospital services and was chairman of the federal committee on Guidelines for Cardiovascular Services in Canada.

His hobby interests include pharmacological research, narrative photography, commercial design, international affairs, the politics of the Middle East, and comparative religions.

Dr. MacPherson's maternal grandfather, Dr. Daniel Murray began practice in Campbellton in 1886. He was very active in municipal politics and was mayor of Campbellton at the time of the town fire in 1910. He died in 1934.

His father, Dr. John James MacPherson, began practice in Campbellton in 1918 as a general practitioner and general surgeon. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Charter Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He died in 1966.

The RCMP and the New Brunswick coroner's office are continuing the investigation.