By: Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OXFORD - When Richard Mackey was a teenager, he learned how to play golf from a Scottish golf pro at a Cleveland Heights country club. He paid for his lessons by working in the caddy shack - his family had little money, and couldn't even afford a telephone.

The golf lessons made a lifelong impression.

Years later, as a professor of physical education at Miami University, Dr. Mackey - along with his friend, Jay Colville - created the Mac-Col - a practice golf ball sold nationwide that was virtually indestructible.

Dr. Mackey died Dec. 29 at Oxford View Nursing Home in Oxford from a long illness. The longtime Oxford resident was 80.

"He really loved teaching. His classes were always full," said his wife of 55 years, Marjorie Mackey, who met her future husband in a class at Ohio State University, "and very active. He played golf passionately."

Raised in Cleveland Heights, Dr. Mackey graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and then attended Ohio State before serving in the Army during World War II. Stationed in Europe, he served under Gen. George Patton and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he returned to OSU. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Ohio State University, and his doctorate from Pennsylvania State University in 1950.

That year, he accepted his first teaching position at the University of Kentucky, where he spent two years as a physical education instructor.

He then went on to Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W. Va, where he served as professor and chair of the physical education department for four years.

Dr. Mackey and his family wanted to return to Ohio, so when his friend was leaving his position as professor of physical education at Miami University, he applied for the job - and got it.

He began teaching at Miami University in 1957, and remained there until his retirement in 1992.

From 1983 to 1991, he was a teaching professional at Hueston Woods Golf Course, and was the author of numerous instructional articles on both golfing and bowling.

Dr. Mackey was active in the Faith Lutheran Church in Oxford, and was former president of the church's council.

Besides his wife, Marjorie, other survivors include a daughter, Jeanne Ann Mackey of Ann Arbor, Mich.; two sons, Thomas of Berkeley, Calif., and David of West Chester; and three grandchildren.

Services have been held.

His cremated remains are in Mount Sterling Cemetery, Mount Sterling, Ohio. Memorials: Faith Lutheran Church, 420 S. Campus Ave., Oxford, 45056; or Lane Public Library, 15 S. College Ave., Oxford, 45056.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com