Alexander Donald

Columbia – Dr. Alexander Grant Donald, 83, died Saturday, July 9, 2011. He was born January 24, 1928, in Darlington, SC, a son of the late Raymond George Donald and Chesnut Evans McIntosh Donald. He graduated from Davidson College in 1948 (BS) and from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1952 (MD). Afterwards he held an Internship at Jefferson Medical College Hospital, followed by a Residency in Psychiatry at Walter Reed Hospital. He served as a Medical Officer in the US Army from 1953 – 1962. In 1960, he received the Army Commendation Medal and in 1962 was honorably discharged with the rank of Major.

Dr. Donald was Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health in Columbia, SC, from 1966 – 1990. He was the first Director of the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute from 1967 – 1990. He was a professor in and the first Chair of the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine from 1975 - 1990. Dr. Donald also served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and was named Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 1991. In 2004, the Alexander G. Donald Distinguished Professorship in Neuropsychiatric Education (USC School of Medicine) was established.

Dr. Donald was an active member and a Ruling Elder of The First Presbyterian Church. He was a member and past president of the Columbia Medical Society, a member of The Columbia Rotary Club, a member and past president of The St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Columbia, and a member of Forest Lake Club, the Columbia Ball, the South Carolina Ball, the Quadrille, the Evening Music Club (past president), and the Saint David’s Society.

Dr. Donald was proud of his Scottish heritage and enjoyed his participation in all things Scottish. He was also an avid gardener who worked tirelessly in his yard and shared the fruits of his labor with friends and family.

Dr. Donald is survived by his wife, Emma Louise “Emmy Lou” Coggeshall Donald, to whom he was married on October 25, 1958, at Oaklyn Plantation in Darlington; his son, Alexander G. “Sandy” Donald of Columbus, Ohio; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Chesnut Donald Pitman and Paul Gregory Pitman and their children, Margaret Louise and Harrison Grant Pitman of Norfolk, VA; his son and daughter-in-law, Marion Lide Coggeshall “Buzz” Donald and Caroline Blair Carriker Donald of Charlotte, NC and their children, Alexander Henry and Marion Thompson Donald; also, one sister, Annie Laurie Donald Cooper of Mullins. Dr. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Lucas Donald Field and a brother, Raymond George Donald, Jr.

The funeral service will be held at 3 o’clock Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at The First Presbyterian Church, 1300 Marion Street, Columbia. The Rev. L. Craig Wilkes will officiate. Members of The St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Columbia are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a reception in Jackson Hall. The service of committal will be held at 10:30 Wednesday at Grove Hill Cemetery, 405 South Warley Street, Darlington, SC. The family suggests memorials be made to the Alexander G. Donald Endowed Chair, Scholarship for Neuropsychiatric, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, c/o Gift Processing, 1600 Hampton Street, 7th Floor, Columbia, SC 29208 or to the American Heart Association, 520 Gervais Street, Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201, or to a charity of their choice. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.