More than £3000 raised in memory of Queen Margaret University lecturer with 'smile as big as his heart'

A well-loved and respected lecturer from Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University (QMU) with ‘a smile as big as his heart’ has lost his battle with cancer and the university community has raised more than £2500 for Cancer Research in his memory.

Dr Douglas McBean had been proudly working at the university since 1997 and was well known amongst staff and students for his humour, quick wit and actor as a mentor for many students over the years. (Pic: QMU)

Dr Douglas McBean, a senior lecturer and programme leader at the university was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer less than three weeks ago, and passed away on Saturday morning surrounded by his family.

Dr McBean was a Senior Lecturer in Physiology & Neuroscience and the BSc(Hons) Applied Pharmacology Programme Leader in the Division of Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Radiography. He was also an associate member of the Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research.

He had been proudly working at the university since 1997 and was well known amongst staff and students for his humour, quick wit and actor as a mentor for many students over the years.

Students and staff of QMU were informed in an email from the Dean of the School of Health Sciences Professor Fiona Coutts.

The email read: “This weekend brought the very sad news of the death of our colleague and friend Douglas McBean. Douglas was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer less than 3 weeks ago and sadly died on Saturday morning surrounded by his family. Douglas was a caring man, an excellent teacher and a much respected colleague and friend. Douglas’s wife Mags, told me how proud Douglas was to work at QMU, how much he enjoyed teaching and the students he interacted with, and how much he loved working with all his colleagues. Many of you will have happy memories of Douglas, his humour, quick wit as well as his great ability as a teacher and PhD supervisor. Douglas always placed the students at the heart of his work.

“We will not be able to pay our respects in the usual way, but the University flag will be lowered and in due course with Douglas’s family we will ‘celebrate’ his life, his love of teaching, his humour and so much more. Mags and family are preparing funeral arrangements and when we have details we will share these.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Douglas’s family, Mags, Paul, John-Jo, and Frances, and to all colleagues and friends at QMU.”

A Cancer Research fundraising page was set up by a former student and has raised more than £3000 in his memory.

Charlee Fitzgerald, a QMU alumna, who set up the fundraiser wrote: “Douglas has played a special part in each and every one of our student journey’s at QMU. He would always go above and beyond his duties, supporting students to achieve their best. I have so many great memories and I’m sure you all do too, if you would like to share a message then please do.

“You are welcome to send letters and cards to the university also, where these will be passed on to his family.”

Paying tribute to Douglas, Joe Jones wrote: “I'll remember Douglas's humour and a smile as big as his heart. He touched so many students' lives in such a positive way.”

Colin Crawford said: “There are few people in life who really affect who you are and the person you grow into. Douglas was an inspiration.”

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