Ian Douglas McPherson
April 03 1956 - October 29 2023
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Chuck Lambert uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
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Ian and I met as recruits for the Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) swim team in April, 1974. He was an incredible swimmer [see information below] We were the best of friends for the past 49 years (and brother-in-laws since 1997). Ian was a superb conversationalist with a great sense of humor and I will greatly miss our many, many - sometimes lengthy - conversations about politics, sports, family, and life in general. We also had great fun playing numerous rounds of golf (sometimes well) over the years during my visits to London or his visits to Louisville, KY. Whether we were attending a Louisville Cardinals college football game, returning to Miami for an alumni reunion, going to a Little Feat concert, going to Lake Huron, or visiting with family, we always had a great time together. I will greatly miss you, my Brother! God Bless!
Ian McPherson ‘78 - Miami University Swimming
- 7 Time Mid-American Conference Champion and 6-time NCAA qualifier
- During his time at Miami, Ian lowered the 200 yard butterfly MAC record from 1:57 to 1:51. He was the first conference swimmer to break 51 seconds in the 100 yard butterfly.
- Ian was on 8 school record setting relays- 3 of which were conference champions and 2 taking them on to the NCAA championships, a rarity for a Mid-American conference program.
- A member of Canada’s national swimming team from 1974-1978, Ian was the fourth fastest 200 meter butterflyer at the 1976 Canadian Olympic Trials, just missing the Olympic team by 2 tenths of a second.
- He grew up in the London, Ontario area and trained in London and Toronto with the Etobicoke swim program.
- He graduated with a degree in political science and settled in the London area where he met his wife, Cindy and raised two daughters. This year they celebrated their 40th anniversary.
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Diane and Gary Masters posted a condolence
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Our relationship with Ian was a professional one, but he made you feel like a best friend. You could share family stories and just have a chat. So glad for the hug our last time together. Our condolences to his family.
Diane and Gary Masters
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Donna posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, November 4, 2023
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“Ian, you certainly were a charmer, a gentleman and a pretty good swimmer too , you will always be remembered for your silver swimmers hair, great body and huge laugh “
RIP
Donna Miller EMAC
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Neil Harvey posted a condolence
Friday, November 3, 2023
It tears me up to write this message. Shit. This news hit me hard, so hard. Ian was a grand spirit. The world was his oyster. I shared some wonderful years and a thousand memories with my dear friend. Alas, the time takes another. Peace my good friend. Cindy, I hope you can manage this loss. My virtual hug is sent along this message.
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Gary Rodefeld posted a condolence
Friday, November 3, 2023
Upon hearing of the sad news, I immediately went to the closet and donned a certain MAC Championship ring that we all worked
so very hard to earn and that I will wear in the near future in fond remembrance of Ian. Never to be forgotten will be his magnetic
personality, his world-class laugh, and his championship, come-from-behind, 200 yard butterfly swims. He will forever be a revered
Miami teammate.
Love and Honor,
Gary "Rody" Rodefeld
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Omar Majeed posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Ian I only knew you for a short while but you left an indelible impression on me. Your honesty and gentle way was refreshing. Sleep well my friend, sleep well.
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Grey Wilson posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
He was a damn good athlete. Hope he realized he could compete with the best. Conference top swimmers were chasing him & as a result became better. Know his teammates went faster because of Ian. Motivated me to join him & Art in my last MAC event in the finals, Ian’s strongest and most grueling event, the 200 butterfly. All of us pushed harder in practice because he showed us how a national level talent trained. All our 400 medley & 800 free relay teammates benefited with his presence - presence in workout where the process to get there happens.
All great swimmers make others around them better because they show others a path.
Part of his gift was confidence & hating being beaten.
His presence bore an air of ease that quickly changed when he took to the starting block. All the other teams challenged him every dual and championship meet. He never backed down or doubted his ability even when finishing where he felt he could have done better.
That never kept him down. He didn’t disappear.
We knew some of each others shortcomings because we were teammates. The other side of the deck knew him as a force to be reckoned with.
And he was. Glad he was our teammate & we got to witness a great athlete with all the flaws and goodness of any human, but the heart of a lion.
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Chay Kramar posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
My deepest condolences goes out to the McPherson family… I worked with Ian for a few years and he truly was one of a kind and he touched the lives of many, including mine. He was so passionate about many things in his life, selling Mazdas, his girls and Cindy. Those are the top three things he would talk about. This is such a devastating loss, but the memories of him will live on through everyone who was lucky enough to have known him. Ian, I will miss your sense of humour, your laugh and your knowledge. Rest easy, Ian
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The family of Ian Douglas McPherson uploaded a photo
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
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