Geoffrey Machin (OK 1958)

Dr Geoffrey Allan Machin BA, BCh, BM, PhD, MRCP, FRCPath, FRCPC(Canada), was born in Sutton, Surrey, UK, the middle son of Ralph and Vera Machin. He graduated in medicine from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1966. After completing his PhD at Guy’s Hospital, London, he spent time at The University of Edinburgh, specializing in paediatric pathology.

In 1976, the family emigrated to Canada. He was Director of Laboratories at Alberta Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Paediatrics and Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Alberta. The family moved to Victoria, BC, in 1983 where he was Paediatric Pathologist at Victoria General Hospital. Ann and Geoff’s next move was to Edmonton. He is Professor Emeritus in Paediatric Pathology at the University of Alberta. He finished his career in Northern California at Kaiser Permanente, where he was the director of the regional/fetal/perinatal/genetic laboratory. His research was widely published and often cited. He was co-author of “An Atlas of Multiple Pregnancy: Biology & Pathology” and wrote “Advanced Placental Examination of Twins and High-Order Multiple Pregnancies”, both of which have become standard textbooks. As a consultant, he was an expert witness in litigation (defence and plaintiff) on more than 500 cases. After his retirement, he continued to teach, advise, and consult, as well as travelling extensively with Ann.

A deep-thinking and compassionate man of action, Geoff volunteered and gave generously to make the world a better place for all. When Ann was diagnosed with a progressive illness, he devoted himself entirely to her care and comfort.

Throughout his life, he pursued many passions, including music and singing, gardening, birdwatching, cats and home improvement.

Geoff died unexpectedly of heart failure at home while working in his beloved garden. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Ann, and leaves his two sons Peter and Tim (Sarah Gale) and grandsons Joey and Charlie, as well as friends and colleagues worldwide.