The World Federation was sad to hear of the passing of past President, Richard MacDonald (2000-2002). His family reported that he had died peacefully on 25th September 2024.
The following was taken from the pages of Final Exit Network Founders and Heroes section.
“As the only physician in its early years, Richard “Dick” MacDonald had a central role in The Hemlock Society’s Caring Friends program, which eventually became Final Exit Network. Dick was involved in virtually every Caring Friends case, personally attending over 85 exits in four years – more than in his 50 years in medical practice. He also led Caring Friends’ development, training, and volunteer support activities.
Dick played a critical part in raising early awareness of The Hemlock Society among his peers in the medical community as well as in the general public. At the international level, he was a board member of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies for ten years, serving as its president for two years.
Dick literally created the model of a Caring Friend/Exit Guide, combining reassuring knowledge and calm confidence with enduring respect and compassion for anyone suffering an intolerable quality of life. With his signature moustache and flowered shirts, he also provided a healthy dose of suave playfulness, helping to balance what might otherwise have been unnecessarily dark and emotionally draining situations”.
To see and hear him in action – you may care to watch this wonderful Youtube recording from a few years ago