Alexander Grant Donald ’48

Alexander Grant Donald ’48, of Columbia, S.C., 83, died July 9. He was born Jan. 24, 1928, in Darlington, S.C., a son of the late Raymond George Donald and Chesnut Evans McIntosh Donald. He graduated from Davidson in 1948 (B.S.) and from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1952 (M.D.). 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 U.S. Army from 1953-62. In 1960, he received the Army Commendation Medal and in 1962 was honorably discharged with the rank of major. Donald was deputy commissioner of the Department of Mental Health in Columbia, S.C., from 1966-90. He was the first director of the William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute from 1967-90. 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 1975-90. 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. 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 the Columbia Ball, the South Carolina Ball, the Quadrille, the Evening Music Club (past president), and the Saint David’s Society. 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. Donald is survived by his wife, Emma Louise “Emmy Lou” Coggeshall Donald, 4354 Chicora St., Columbia, SC 29206-2902, to whom he was married on Oct. 25, 1958, at Oaklyn Plantation in Darlington; his son, Alexander G. “Sandy” Donald ’81; his daughter, Mary Chesnut Donald Pitman (Paul Gregory Pitman) and children, Margaret Louise and Harrison Grant Pitman; his son, Marion Lide Coggeshall “Buzz” Donald ’88 (Caroline Blair Carriker Donald) and children, Alexander Henry and Marion Thompson Donald; and one sister, Annie Laurie Donald Cooper. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Lucas Donald Field; and a brother, Raymond George Donald, Jr.