Omond McKillop Solandt, 1909-1993 (Obituary)

Born in Winnipeg on 2 September 1909, Omond Solandt moved east and enrolled in 1 927 as a undergraduate in biological and medical sciences at the University of Toronto. O n graduation with an M.D. in 1936, he received a Gold Medal and was named an Ellen Mickle Sch olar, the highest honour bestowed by the U. of T. Not only was it a portent of a distingui shed future, it was an award that in time would benefit the university. When Dr. O.M. Solandt wa s installed as the 23rd chancellor of the University of Toronto in 1965, he stated in his ad dress that this function would give him the opportunity to repay his debt for the education he h ad received there. With such a distinguished overseas record, it was not surprising that the 36 - y ear - old Solandt was invited to return to Canada to head a new government organization: the Defen ce Research Board. The suggestion to appoint Dr. [Omond M. Solandt] as the first chairman of DRB had be en made jointly by Dr. [Charles H. Best] and Dr. Chalmers J. MacKenzie, former dean of eng ineering at the University of Saskatchewan and acting president of the National Research Cou ncil of Canada during the war years. The meeting at which the appointment was discussed took pl ace on 4 December 1945 in the office of C.D. Howe on Parliament Hill. This illustrates th e level at which Dr. Solandt's scientific achievements had become known. In 1956 Dr. Solandt resigned from DRB to become vicepresident of Research and De velopment of Canadian National Railways. From 1963 to 1966, he held a similar position wit h de Havilland Aircraft and Hawker Siddeley of Canada Ltd. Once again, it was no surprise to th ose familiar with Dr. Solandt's ability as a research organizer when he was selected the firs t chairman of the Science Council of Canada, established in 1966. He held that position for six ye ars.