Dr. Roderick Macdonald Jr., who served as the University of South Carolina Medical School's first permanent dean nearly four decades ago, died Monday. He was 88.

Macdonald was born on Oct. 16, 1926, in Charleston. He went to Davidson College to earn his undergraduate degree and then attended MUSC, graduating in 1950. He held positions at several medical universities around the country before returning to South Carolina in 1976 to head the then new medical school.

He acted as both dean and professor of surgery while at the university. According to previous Post and Courier reports, Macdonald said of his positions, "I hope that some day I will be able to be remembered as a medical educator who contributed to the growth of a medical school." Under Macdonald, the school received full accreditation with the first class graduating in 1981. He was named Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus of the School of Medicine.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen, four daughters, a son and nine grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Dunbar Funeral Home of Columbia.

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Former dean of USC Medical School dies at 88