It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Grace Klein-Macphee. Those that have attended our chapter meetings know that she was an active member and a great mentor to many.
Dr. Grace Klein-MacPhee, wife of the late John A. MacPhee, Jr., 74 years old from Narragansett, RI passed away Saturday September 20th 2014 at home after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born December 18th 1939 in Lawrence, MA to Emil Louis Klein and Jessie (McLean). She grew up in Andover, MA.
Grace was a Marine Research Scientist who received her Bachelors and Masters of Art in Biology from Boston University (1961 and 1966) and received her Ph.D from the University of Rhode Island Biological Sciences in 1978. She worked for the EPA in the Narragansett, RI laboratory, and was known for her outstanding ability to raise larval winter flounder. She also worked at the University of Alaska-Juneau fisheries department in addition to teaching. She also taught at Northeastern University, CCRI and as an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island.
She was a member of the American Fisheries Society, the Fisheries Society of the British Isles, the Estuarine Research Federation, American Society of Zoologists, American Association for the Advancement of Science, World Mariculture Society, American Institution of Biological Sciences, International Study of Artemia, Southern New England Chapter of AFS and the Rhode Island Natural History Survey. She received the Rhode Island Natural History Survey Distinguished Naturalist Award in 2002, Recipient of a Merit Award from EPA, Special Achievement Award from the Northeastern Division of the American Fisheries Society for her outstanding efforts as co-editor of the third-edition of Bigelow and Schroeder’s Fishes of the Gulf of Maine, a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Fisheries Society for serving as the Chapter President of the Southern New England Chapter of the AFS from June 2003 – 2004. In addition she was a contributor of articles to various professional publications. She was very involved with sharing her knowledge with students from high school, college undergraduates and served on numerous graduate student committees.
Grace also was an active member of the United States Figure Skating Association and enjoyed studying dance skating. She enjoyed the 2014 USFSA National Championship in Boston among several other Ice Skating Events. She supported the Providence Bruins and URI Men and Women Ice Hockey teams in addition to being a long time supporter ofthe Friends of Boston University Hockey. She was an active member of Peace Dale Congregational Church serving on various boards and committees. She was anactive member of the United Church of Christ. She was a member of the URI Alumni Association in addition to the Boston University Alumni Assoc.
Grace is survived by her daughters Erika Huntley, Arwen MacPhee, her sons and daughters-in-law James and Suimay MacPhee and Peter and Selena MacPhee in addition to 8 grandchildren: Jennifer Walsh, William Huntley, Caryl Williams, Kevin Vadehra, Maylah, Lily, Lianna and Olivia MacPhee.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 27th 2014 at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St, South Kingstown, RI at 11am.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to:
The Grace Klein MacPhee Student Travel Grant
The Early Life History Section/AFS
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 110, Bethesda, MD20814-2199
Or to the Rhode Island Natural History Survey, P.O. Box 1858 Kingston, RI 02881