Career
He is remembered as a skillful performer and inventive puppet maker. In 1929, McPharlin established the Marionette Fellowship of Detroit. In 1933, he organized an important puppetry exhibit for the Century of Progress in Chicago.
He was the husband and close collaborator of the puppeteer Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin.
A collection of his work is on permanent display at the Detroit Institute of Artist A collection of his papers and books is at the University of New Mexico.