Richard "Mac" V. McDougall

Richard “Mac” V. McDougall, 91, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018, at Homestead Post Acute in Lexington, KY. Loving husband of 39 yrs. to Kristine P. McDougall, Mac was born April 5, 1926 to the late Clair and Bernice Cornell McDougall, in Mercer Co, PA. After graduating high school, Mac enlisted with the United States Army. It wouldn’t be long before he would be assigned to a one year tour stationed in Nagano, Japan, serving as a member of a Military Government Team. Once home from the Army, Mac set his sights on college, earning a bachelor’s degree in health education from Penn State University in 1951. Just a year later, he received a diploma in physical therapy from the D.T. Watson School of Physiatrics at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine, becoming Director of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1957 Mac not only started a private practice but served as the Director of Physical Therapy at the John H. Kane Hospital in Pittsburgh. Mac would make a move to Kentucky in 1962 to not only further his career as Chief Physical Therapist in Rehabilitation Service at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, but also his schooling, earning a Master’s degree in education by 1965. That same year he became the first chair of the Dept. of Physical Therapy in the College of Allied Health Professions, serving until 1982. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s, in a combined effort with UK’s Special Education Dept, Mac took his PT students to Kentucky Easter Seal’s Camp (KYSOC) for three weeks each May. KYSOC was a camp for severely mentally and physically disabled adults and children where the students were counselors, on call 24/7. Through the support and guidance from Mac, this experience taught them how to be caring, yet firm, physical therapists for a very vulnerable population. While at the University of Kentucky, he acted as a consultant to the Division of Licensure and Regulation for the Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources, University of Louisville PT program, and the Jefferson and Somerset Community College physical therapist assistant programs. His accomplishments would continue, serving two consecutive terms as president of the Kentucky Chapter of the American PT Association from 1975-1978, receiving the Outstanding Physical Therapist Award (APTA) during his final year. In 1980 Mac received the Lucy Blair Service Award (APTA), becoming Chairman of the Kentucky State Board of PT just one year later. 1986 would prove to be yet another year of accomplishments in physical therapy education, as Mac would serve on the task force to establish the Federation of State Boards of PT. His dedication and commitment to physical therapy was unparalleled. He has been and will continue to be honored for his great strides through The Richard “Mac” McDougall Long Term Service Award (FSBPT), the Richard McDougall Fledgling Award (KPTA), McDougall Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series (UK), the Richard McDougall Endowed Faculty Position – College of Health Sciences (UK), and the McDougall Endowed Student Scholarship (UK). When Mac wasn’t improving the world of physical therapy, he enjoyed spending his free time outdoors; fishing, skiing, camping, attending many UK sporting events with his lovely wife Kris, and could often be found tailgating before football games. After retirement, they enjoyed many years of making memories while traveling in their RV. In addition to his wife Kris, Mac is survived by his daughters Lauri McDougall (Dennis Stilger, Sr), Patti McDougall (Larry Newton); a son Rick McDougall; two grandsons, Daniel (Sarah) Waters and Patrick Holder; two step-granddaughters, Austin and Laura Newton; a step-grandson, Dennis (Grace) Stilger, Jr; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Pease and Gay Pease; and two nieces, Christi (Greg) Gresham and children, and Amy (Patrick) Redding and children. In addition to his parents Claire and Bernice Cornell McDougall, Mac was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Maryjo Pease and brother-in-law, Tom Pease. The family wishes to thank the staff at Performance Physical Therapy and Homestead Post-Acute for their care and support. On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at Clark Legacy Center, Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville, Kentucky a visitation will begin at 10a and a Celebration of Life will be held at 12p. A private burial will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association; 6100 Dutchman’s Lane, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205 or McDougall Endowed Student Scholarship; University of Kentucky, College of Health Sciences, Office of the Dean, Room 123, Wethington Building, 900 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508.