Obituary of Douglas Mac Donald Cameron

Douglas Mac Donald Cameron, a man who made observation, discourse and the written word the focus of his life, put down his pen for the last time on Saturday, August 8, 2015, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family, loved ones and images of his intellect and influence. Dr. Cameron, also known as Doug, Papa, GeeGee and Gonglu, was born on May 18, 1944 to Donald Main Cameron and Mary Fitzpatrick Cameron in Riverside, NY. After a childhood learning the language that guided the rest of his life in Panama, Puerto Rico and Cuba, he returned to the US for his education. From the Hill School in Pottstown, PA to Harvard University to the University of California San Diego for his PhD, Doug expanded his world and influences, all with Don Quixote as his guide. After receiving his degrees, Doug taught at schools, colleges and universities across the country, while also dabbling in projects where his skills with language were a true benefit. He received tenure at Ursinus College, where he taught literature, language and culture in the Modern Languages department for 28 years. During this time, he married Edith Guay, from Quebec, a relationship that would expand his life through her eyes, language, family and culture. Doug is preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by Edith, his wife; daughters, Rima Cameron, Maya Houston (George), adoring grandchildren, Celia, Cameron, Paul, Charles and Sabina; sister, Joan Treacy; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Yves); nieces and nephew Sara, Alicia and David Armstrong, Marianne and Caroline Allaire and many loving cousins. Family, friends, students and colleagues worldwide mourn the loss of this brilliant mind, one that questioned, challenged and required others to think more deeply – not to accept the obvious and to find the connections between art, cultures, and words. In honor of his deep appreciation for art and literature, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Douglas M. Cameron Fund at the Berman Art Museum at Ursinus College, a place that he took students “for dialogs on the pertinence of individual art forms.” Memorial services will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2015, with a 2:30 pm viewing and 4:00 service. Reception at the church to follow. Trinity United Church of Christ, 532 West Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426, across from Ursinus College. Ursinus College will hold a memorial honoring his career and legacy at a later date in the fall semester.