William F. McCaughey

William F. McCaughey "Mac" 86, died 13 August 2008 in Miami, FL. Born 1 October 1921 in Park Ridge, Illinois; he was a resident of Tucson from 1947 until 2003, and always considered Tucson his real home. Mac is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Justin Enfinger, of Miami. Preceded in death by beloved wife Margie in 1999, they were together again to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on 14 August. Mac earned a B.S. in Chemistry in 1942 from Purdue University in Indiana; a M.S. in Biochemistry in 1947 from Northwestern University in Illinois; and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry in 1951 from the University of Arizona. He met the love of his life, Margie Buntain, as an undergrad at Purdue, and married her on 14 August 1943, at Ft. Ord, California, before shipping out as a young 2LT in the Field Artillery for active duty in the South Pacific during the final years of WWII. That was the beginning of a distinguished 31-year career with the US Army Reserve, from which Mac retired on 1 September 1974, with the rank of Colonel. After completing his M.S., Mac took off in search of postgraduate work in warmer climes. His train to Los Angeles had a long stop in Tucson, where he took the opportunity to explore the U of A. He visited with the faculty of the Ag College, was offered a postgraduate fellowship on the spot, and decided to stay. Margie joined him a few months later, and together they began a lifelong association with the university that was as much their home as the house they lived in for over 50 years. Mac joined the faculty in 1951, teaching Biochemistry and later, Nutritional Science, to an estimated 25,000 students over the course of his career. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1994, but continued to teach part-time as long as his health allowed. Mac lived life to the fullest, and had many interests. He was a ham radio operator, call sign K7CET, who played a major role in the development of Tucson and Pima County's emergency preparedness plan. From the late 1950's through the 1980's, Mac actively participated in Civil Defense, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.), and the volunteer search and rescue organization Pima County Search and Rescue, all of which allowed him to combine his love of ham radio with the leadership skills honed during his years in the Army. He was a member of the Tucson-Pima County Emergency Services Commission from 1964 through 1988, serving as Chairman for six of those years. Mac was a founding member and league secretary (for too many years to count!) of the U of A Faculty/Staff Bowling League, which continues today. He shared his love of bowling with Margie, also a founding member of the league, and Lisa, who bowled with her parents for many years. Mac also enjoyed making trips to Las Vegas with his family, but usually left the place a little greener! He moved to Miami in November 2003, to be with Lisa after she moved there to marry her childhood sweetheart. Although his declining health did not allow him to be as active as in the past, Mac had five great years in Miami. He took great delight in beating Lisa regularly at their beloved game of Cribbage, looked forward to the birthday and holiday meals she always prepared for him, and loved receiving cards, letters and phone calls from friends in Tucson. Besides his family, Mac leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, and former students whose lives were enriched by knowing him. Lisa and Justin thank the staffs of Jackson South Community Hospital and Catholic Hospice in Miami for the exceptional patient care and emotional support they provided during Mac's final days. They extend special thanks to La Familia Angel of Deerwood Manor for the love and outstanding care they gave Mac during the five years he lived with them; they were truly "his angels!" A memorial service will be held in celebration of Mac's life on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOME-DODGE CHAPEL, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd, at Speedway. The interment service, with military honor guard, will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Hope Cemetery mausoleum, 3555 N. Oracle Rd, at Prince. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either The McCaughey Student Endowment or The Wolfe/McCaughey Nutritional Science Endowment, care of the UA Foundation, PO Box 210109, Tucson AZ 85721-0109. Please join Mac's family in celebrating and honoring his memory, and help them let him know how greatly he is missed.