He lectured in medical history at the University of British Columbia[2] before being elected to its senate in 1912[1] and becoming its second chancellor in 1918, holding the latter position until his death in 1944. He was the university's longest-serving chancellor, serving for 26 years.[3] During this time, he wrote several articles for medical journals, published a book about the history of medicine on the Northwest Coast, and started the British Columbia Place Names project.[2]
McKechnie received several accolades, including honorary degrees from McGill University in 1912 and the University of British Columbia in 1925, the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal for services to Canada, and was later made Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He died on May 24, 1944, in Vancouver. McKechnie's death from a hand infection was reported on the front page of the Vancouver Sun.[4] An elementary school named in his honor, the Dr. R. E. McKechnie Elementary School, was opened by Dr. Wallace Wilson on November 22, 1957.[1]
^Carter, Preston L. (May 2012). "Dr Robert McKechnie: Vancouver's pioneer surgeon and a patron of British Columbia sports & education". The American Journal of Surgery. 203 (5): 564–567. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2011.12.014.