Charles Raymond McCarthy Ph.D.

MCCARTHY, Charles Raymond, Ph.D., Beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, confidant, colleague, boss and professor, Charles Raymond McCarthy, Ph.D., died peacefully in his sleep on October 14, 2022, at the age of 96 in Richmond, Virginia.

Dr. McCarthy was one of eight children born to Frederic Donough McCarthy and Florence Ruth (Milton) McCarthy of St. Paul, Minn. Charles received his primary education at St. Mark's Grade School and his secondary education, as a cadet, at St. Thomas Military Academy. In 1948, he received a B.A. degree from St. Thomas College in St. Paul.

After graduation, he served as a novice to become a professed member of the Paulist Fathers' Society at St. Paul's College, which is part of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C. When severe tuberculosis interrupted his novitiate, he was treated for over 20 months isolated in a sanatorium near his childhood home. It proved to be a profound experience for him that informed his approach to life in the years that followed.

After recovering, he returned to St. Paul's College and completed his studies for the priesthood. Cardinal Spellman ordained him to the Catholic priesthood of the Congregation Sancti Pauli (CSP) on May 3, 1956.

Later that year, Father McCarthy, CSP, enrolled as a student of political science and modern philosophy at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree. During his years of study there, he fulfilled many pastoral duties at St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Next, Fr. McCarthy moved to the Catholic Information Center in Boston. There, he gathered material for his doctoral thesis: The Political Philosophy of Orestes Brownson, while also fulfilling his pastoral duties. In 1961, the University of Toronto granted him the Ph.D. degree.

He again returned to St Paul's College and for the 10 years, he taught philosophy and political science there, as well as at The Catholic University of America.

In early 1971, he asked to be laicized, which was granted therefore releasing him from his priestly duties. On July 23, 1971, he married the joy of his life, Estelle Rountree of Selma, Ala., a leading figure in Christian education.

Dr. McCarthy embarked on a new career in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Division of Legislative Analysis (DLA). He was soon appointed Director of the DLA's Legislative Development Branch.

In 1974, Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy required the Department of Health Education and Welfare (DHEW) to develop regulations for the protection of human subjects involved in research. Dr. McCarthy collaborated to help draft the first set of regulations governing the welfare of human research subjects. Based on these new regulations, Congress enacted the first law of its kind for the protection of human research subjects.

Dr. McCarthy was subsequently appointed Director of the NIH Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR). In that role, he was charged with protecting the rights of human subjects and promoting the welfare of laboratory animals.

He worked diligently to develop the "Common Rule," which is a uniform set of regulations for protecting human research subjects in biomedical and behavioral research.

Virtually all human research conducted in universities throughout the U.S. follow the regulations and policies issued by the OPRR during Dr. McCarthy's tenure. Approximately 80 countries worldwide have chosen to follow them too. The worldwide impact of his expertise, broad influence and positive contributions to protect countless research subjects represent one of his greatest career accomplishments.

In 1992, Dr. McCarthy retired from government service. Not long after, Charles and Estelle moved to Richmond, Va. There his involvement with research in ethics continued. Up until 2016, he worked part-time contributing his vast store of knowledge to Virginia Commonwealth University's newly created Office of Education and Compliance Oversight. (Continued)