Feb. 25, 2020

In Memoriam: Jack Macintosh, Department of Philosophy

Campus flag lowered on Feb. 25, 2020
Jack Macintosh
Beloved, long-serving philosophy professor Jack Macintosh passed away Feb. 15. Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy is mourning the loss of Dr. Jack Macintosh, PhD, who passed away on Feb. 15 at the age of 85. 

Macintosh was one of the UCalgary’s original professors, joining the Department of Philosophy as an associate professor in 1966 when our university was still the University of Alberta at Calgary. He was promoted to professor in 1970. 

His primary research interests were in the history and philosophy of science and the philosophy of religion. He was one of the world’s foremost experts on the 17th century natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, and inventor Robert Boyle. 

After earning his BA and MA at the University of New Zealand (now University of Auckland) Macintosh went on to the University of Oxford where he earned his doctorate. Before coming to Calgary he served as a Fellow and lecturer at St. John’s College, Oxford. 

He was a highly respected and extensively published researcher and an inspiring, much loved teacher for generations of undergraduate and graduate students. 

“It is hard for many of us to imagine the department without him,” says Dr. Nicole Wyatt, PhD, head of the Department of Philosophy. “I took my very first philosophy class from Jack as an undergraduate English major in 1989, and was later privileged to have him supervise my master's thesis. . . . We will all feel this loss very deeply.” 

Macintosh is survived by his partner, Karen Walde, two sons Geoffrey and Daniel, daughters Becky and Tess, grandchildren Molly, Ruby and Cisco, and by his brother, Aengus. 

In Macintosh’s honour, the flag on campus will be at half-mast on Tuesday, Feb. 25. There will also be a celebration of his life on that day, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Senate Room in the Hotel Alma. To RSVP and/or leave a message for the family, please use this link MacIntosh_Memorial_RSVP/Thoughts_for_Family