Beginning his Ridley career in 1939, McFarlane compiled an impressive record in football, hockey and track-and-field. He attended the University of Western Ontario where he was an outstanding athlete playing football for the Western Mustangs. He and his brother Bob ‘45 represented Canada in the 1948 Olympic Games in London in the 400 metre relay finishing fifth and in the British Commonwealth Games in 1950. After graduation from medical school in 1952, McFarlane became a highly respected ophthalmologist both as a surgeon and a teacher. He became a governor of the school in 1970, a vice-president of the Board in 1976 and served as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1981-86. He died in London, Ontario on March 5, 2008 at age 81.