Charles Christopher Creagh O'Morchoe

Charles Christopher Creagh O'MORCHOE, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. Dr. Charles C.C. O'Morchoe died peacefully at his home in Poulsbo, Washington on April 18th surrounded by family and friends after a 14 year battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Quetta, India (Pakistan) on May 7th, 1931 to Niall and Jessie (Joly) O'Morchoe. He married Patricia Jean O'Morchoe, M.D. on September 15th, 1955 in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. O'Morchoe received his undergraduate education at Dublin University, Ireland and obtained his medical degrees from Trinity College, Dublin University School of Medicine, Ireland and a postgraduate medical degree (M.D.) by thesis and oral examination in 1961. He earned his Ph.D. (1968) and D.Sc. (1981) from Dublin University. He trained in Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Halifax general Hospital in Halifax, England. He was then appointed as a Lecturer in Anatomy at the Dublin University School of Medicine (1957-61 and 1963-65), also as a Lecturer and later Associate Professor of Physiology (1966-68). He was a Visiting Lecturer in Physiology at University of Maryland School of Medicine (1961-62) and Instructor in Anatomy at Harvard Medical School (1962-63). He served as Associate Professor, Professor and subsequently Acting Chairman at the Department of Anatomy at University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore (1968-1974). Charles served as a Consultant on Medical Education as Visiting Professor of Physiology for the World Health Organization with the S.M.S. Medical College in Jaipur, India (3 month appointments in both 1967 and 1971). He then served as Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL (1974-84). He subsequently became Regional Dean at University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Professor of Anatomical Sciences and of Surgery, until his retirement in 1998. At the time of his death, he was a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Medicine (Division of Oncology) at University of Washington, Seattle. Throughout his academic career, Dr. O'Morchoe maintained an active research program related to the study of renal lymphatic flow and its changes in various pathological and physiological conditions. In total, he authored over 182 papers, chapters and books, many of which were in conjunction with his wife Patricia Jean O'Morchoe, M.D. He served on over 51 committees and boards, including as Chairman of the American Association of Anatomy, as President of the International Society of Lymphology and as President of the North American Society of Lymphology. He was editor of six peer-reviewed journals. During his career, he received numerous honors and awards for excellence in teaching and research. Beyond the academic environment, Charles enjoyed many other enriching activities and hobbies which brought him great joy. He loved pleasure boating on many U.S. water ways and taking great care of his collection of classic cars. He was an active member of the Rolls Royce Owners Club in which he most recently enjoyed driving on the Oregon Experience tour with his family. Charles also enjoyed fine woodworking, filling the homes of family and friends with picture frames and decorative pieces. He enjoyed working in his garden and maintaining extensive stamp and coin collections. After retiring in 1998, Dr. O'Morchoe moved with his wife to Poulsbo, Washington where he was an active parishioner at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Patricia, and is survived by his brother, David, of Gorey, Ireland; his two sons, Charles (Susan), of Gurnee, IL, and David (Patrice), of Poulsbo, WA; and his four grandchildren, Katherine, Brendan, Caitlin and Christopher. Funeral services will be held on May 7th at 3:00 PM at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 1187 Wyatt Way, Bainbridge, WA, 98110. Memorial contributions can made to The Joly-OMorchoe Exchange Fellowship Fund or the Patricia J and Charles CC OMorchoe Fellowship in Leadership Skills Award Fund at The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, c/o UOI Foundation, 1305 North Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island, WA.