William Patrick Rohan

1935 - 2024

William Patrick Rohan

Williamsburg, MA - Artist and psychologist William Patrick "Bill" Rohan, 89, of Williamsburg, MA died on November 19 following a stroke. Bill was a brilliant, witty, creative, and unconventional man who was frequently described as "one-of-a-kind" by those who knew him. He will be deeply missed for his resilience, sense of humor, playfulness, and unique perspective.

Bill's interests included-but were not limited to-painting, drawing, discussing philosophy, writing about human consciousness and language, evolution, singing, dancing, fitness, amassing longevity points, behavioral psychology, the stock market, barbershop quartets, solar power, separation of church and state, puns, birds, and cooking the perfect soft-boiled egg.

Bill was born in Boston, MA on February 14, 1935 to James and Marion (Smith) Rohan. Bill attended St. Mark's Grammar School. Before starting high school, he contracted tuberculosis and spent 17 months in the North Reading Sanatorium. After a late start, he graduated in three years from Dorchester High in 1953, where he was state champion in the standing broad jump.

After attending Boston College for two years, he joined Saint John's Seminary, intending to become a Catholic priest. But in early 1957, the tuberculosis returned. Bill spent the next 13 months in the Boston Sanatorium in Mattapan, where he underwent surgery to have part of his left lung removed. While he was in the hospital he decided the priesthood was no longer his chosen path. He returned to Boston College and graduated in 1960 with a BA in psychology. He then obtained a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

There he met Virginia Bartholome who was working toward her master's degree in English. They fell in love, married in 1962, and had three children, Ginna, Bill, and Chris. They were married for 55 years until her death in 2018.

The family moved to Northampton, MA in 1964 so Bill could begin his career as a psychologist for the Veterans Administration in Leeds. At the V.A., he developed innovative alcohol and cigarette cessation programs based on principles of behavioral psychology. For many years after his retirement, Bill was approached by veterans who thanked him for helping them get sober.

Bill and Ginny moved to Williamsburg as empty nesters in 1987. Upon his retirement, Bill pursued art full time. He created award-winning photorealist paintings of local landmarks, especially diners, and "eggcentric" artworks out of eggshells. His work was selected for juried art competitions and is in the permanent collection of the city of Northampton.

Bill was a life-long believer in the benefits of exercise who ran, lifted weights, stretched, played tennis, danced, and competed in eleven marathons. Avid readers, he and Ginny amassed hundreds of art, literature, philosophy, and science books, especially the works of Charles Darwin. After many years in a barbershop quartet, he kept his voice strong with nightly vocal exercises and the songs of Elvis Presley, Beach Boys, and Glen Campbell.

Bill and Ginny camped across the U.S. with their children and traveled to Europe and Mexico, but Cape Cod and the Maine coast were his favorite places for painting, playing cribbage and bocce with his grandchildren, and eating lobster.

In his final years, Bill explored his life-long interest in human consciousness, worked on his lengthy paper "The Matter of Words," debated with his online philosophy group, enjoyed family and friends, and watched the seasons change in his sunny backyard.

Bill is survived by his children, their spouses, and grandchildren: Ginna and John Hall (Cambridge, MA) and children Nicholas, Lily, and Cate; Bill and Samantha Rohan (Belchertown, MA) and children August and Asher; son Christopher Rohan and Amy Vienna (Randolph, VT), and children Ada, Neil and Evan; sister Loretta (Los Angeles, CA) and her children Laura and Steven; and friend Freda Brackley.

The Williamsburg Funeral Home was entrusted with his cremation. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.