In Memoriam -Dr. Colin Anderson

Professor emeritus Dr. Colin Anderson died suddenly on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at the age of 78 years.

Dr. Anderson joined The University of Western Ontario and University Hospital Department of Pathology in June of 1973. He obtained his medical degree in 1963 at the National University of Buenos Aires and his postgraduate pathology education at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland where he became a Member of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) in 1968. Dr. Anderson was a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists (1977), the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (AP, 1978), and the Royal College of Pathologists (UK, 1980).

Before joining Western, Dr. Anderson spent 5 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he founded the Central Pathology Laboratory and Diagnostic Services and became the Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Dar es Salaam.

At Western's Department of Pathology, Dr. Anderson founded the Hard Tissue Research Laboratory, where his team performed quantitative analysis of bone from various experimental animal models and acted as a reference centre for human diagnostic bone biopsies from across Canada. His research interests on the basic multicellular unit of bone remodeling activity applying quantitative computerized histomorphometry and quantitative computerized microdensity to bone was leading edge in the world and paved the way to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Dr. Anderson held many external grants including MRC, and the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Dr. Anderson was recognized as a passionate and innovative educator. He taught and coordinated courses in general and systemic pathology for many years for Undergraduate Sciences, Medical and Dental students. He was much loved by his students for his enthusiasm, sense of humour and sense of fairness. He introduced Problem Based Learning to the Pathology Curriculum at UWO, one of the first in the world. He also participated in the Graduate Program in Pathology and supervised many MSc and PhD students. During his tenure he was the Director of the Residency Training Programs in Anatomical and Clinical (General) Pathology.

Dr. Anderson served on numerous hospital and university committees and served as Director of Autopsy Pathology and Surgical Pathology.

On July 1, 1996 Dr. Anderson retired and was conferred the rank of Emeritus Professor. Upon his retirement he moved back to his home in Argentina and dedicated his time to writing an historical account of German espionage in the Argentinian sea between the years of 1937 and 1945, as well as enjoying life with his family.