Kenneth MacClure Baird (BSc., Ph.D, C.M.)

Kenneth MacClure Baird (BSc., Ph.D, C.M.) passed away peacefully in his 100^th year in Ottawa on April 18, 2022. He was a physicist, world leader in metrology, and inventor, with an irrepressible passion for understanding and explaining everything in terms of the principles of physics.

Kenneth, more familiarly known as ‘Mac’, was born in China in 1923 of Canadian parents, and grew up in St. John, New Brunswick. His father was a medical missionary and his mother an accomplished pianist. Mac received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick and joined the National Research Council where he excelled at research in aerial reconnaissance and highspeed photography, gaining him recognition by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He was awarded full financial support to study at Bristol University, England where he received his Ph.D. in solid state physics. As head of the NRC’s division of optical physics, Mac and his colleagues lead the development of the world's first interference comparator placing Canada among the main contributors to the re-definition of the International Metre in 1960, and their quest to improve the accuracy of the speed of light resulted in the creation of one of the first lasers - the iodine stabilized helium neon laser.

Aside from his numerous scientific contributions to the world (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_M._Baird) Mac was a true renaissance man with a vast range of interests and an inexhaustible zest for life. He enjoyed all sports both as a spectator and a participant. He loved watching Formula 1 and football, was passionate about his golf, and enjoyed curling, skiing, and participating in sailing regattas. Returning from work one day, he announced to the family that he had bought a small Piper Colt which he learned to fly. He enrolled in Power Squadron classes and purchased a Chris Craft cruiser providing endless hours of enjoyment on the water with his family. He travelled the world, spoke German and French, had a strong knowledge of Latin, a passion for classical music, and played the piano.

Life in the Baird household was a constant educational experience. When not in “the lab”, Mac could be found in his basement workshop. The fusion of his curiosity, imagination, intelligence, and dexterity enabled him to fix or create almost anything from the handblown liquor glasses in the China cabinet to the rebuilt engine on the garage floor. Whenever a need or an idea arose, Mac invented a solution. These included the reconfigured blade for the kitchen blender, a gold sluicing machine, the family kitchen table, a sizeable, outdoor, reinforced concrete swimming pool, the seasonal skating rink in the backyard, and an improved design of a racing skate to excel at his performance at the Ottawa Winter Triathlon.

Mac was a kind, thoughtful, and modest man. He was devoted to his family, and he contributed generously to his community. He is predeceased by his beautiful, beloved wife of 60 years, Erna Monika, and will be sorely missed by his loving children Kenneth, Esther (Stanley Fimberg), Jennifer (John Ruddy), and Adrian “Punk”, and grandchildren Nikola and Sonya. The family is immensely grateful to Dr. Galbraith, and wishes to thank Carolina, Joy, Cathy, Maricel, Pearla, and Camille, and the nursing staff at the Rockcliffe Retirement Residence for their loving care and attention. A private service will be held with family members only, and a ‘Celebration of Life’ reception will be held at a later date.

In memory of Kenneth Maclure Baird, the family would welcome donations to The Brain and Mind Institute or Parkinson’s Research Consortium.